In an electrifying matchup on Sunday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves triumphed over the Phoenix Suns with a score of 116-98, thanks in large part to Anthony Edwards' impressive 44-point performance and Julius Randle's strong return from injury, contributing 20 points in his first game back after a month-long absence.
Edwards was on fire, particularly in the third quarter, where he netted 17 points, helping the Timberwolves flip a two-point halftime deficit into an 83-72 lead heading into the final quarter. From that point on, Minnesota maintained control, marking only their third win in the last nine games.
Donte DiVincenzo also made a significant impact, scoring 24 points, including eight 3-pointers. Randle's return was highly anticipated, as he had been sidelined since January 30 due to a right groin strain, missing a total of 13 games.
On the other hand, the Suns have been struggling, losing 11 of their last 14 games. Kevin Durant led the team with 26 points, but it wasn't enough to secure a win. Phoenix had a strong start, leading for most of the first half and heading into halftime with a narrow 51-49 lead. Randle was the standout scorer in the first half, racking up 16 points, while Devin Booker contributed 12 points, finishing the game with 17.
The Timberwolves have faced challenges in recent weeks, but Randle's return seems to have ignited a spark, positioning them to make a push for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
For the Suns, the situation remains dire. Despite having a fully healthy roster, they struggled against another playoff-caliber team, and their chances of making the playoffs are dwindling rapidly.
One of the highlights of the game was Randle's impressive dunk over Suns rookie Ryan Dunn, which was followed by Dunn's turnover on the ensuing inbounds pass. Jaden McDaniels capitalized on the mistake, scoring an easy layup that extended the Timberwolves' lead to 95-78 with just over eight minutes left in the game.
In total, Minnesota capitalized on Phoenix's mistakes, scoring 40 points off of 22 turnovers. Looking ahead, the Timberwolves will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, while the Suns will face the Los Angeles Clippers on the same day.
