The Minnesota Timberwolves are two wins away from advancing to the second round for the first time in 20 years.
Minnesota defeated the Phoenix Suns 105-93 in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Tuesday at Target Center. It defended its home court advantage for the second time in a row, taking a 2-0 lead in the series.
All five Timberwolves starters scored in double figures, but it was Jaden McDaniels, not Anthony Edwards or Karl-Anthony Towns, who led the charge. He finished with 25 points and eight rebounds, while Mike Conley (18 points, four assists, four rebounds, and two steals) and Rudy Gobert (18 points, nine rebounds, and three steals) had strong performances.
Devin Booker scored 20 points before fouling out, and Kevin Durant added 18, but Phoenix couldn’t win despite Edwards’ 3-of-11 shooting from the field.
Social media users reacted to the Suns’ situation:
The greatest theme in Game 1 was Edwards’ continued recognition as one of the league’s best performers. He fed off the crowd’s excitement, carried his team for long stretches, and even trash-talked Durant as Minnesota pulled away in a blowout.
Phoenix, on the other hand, were determined not to let that happen again, holding Edwards to only five points in the first half. Despite Minnesota’s quiet start, the visitors led by a single point because to Conley, Gobert, and McDaniels’ scoring efforts.
The supporting cast’s ability to keep the game close was especially essential given that Towns spent the most of the first half on the bench due to foul trouble.
The Suns’ failure to capitalize on Edwards and Towns’ poor starts proved costly. Minnesota seized the lead in the third quarter after Edwards went to the free throw line and Towns scored eight consecutive points for his team in a short burst.
Phoenix also lost Grayson Allen to an ankle injury, further limiting its depth against a Timberwolves club that saw significant contributions from all five starters.
Minnesota demonstrated that it does not need Edwards to go off to secure an outstanding victory in the fourth quarter, as Conley hit from the outside, McDaniels put on a show, and Gobert continued to play effectively down low. Edwards still couldn’t locate his shot, but it didn’t matter because the home team built a commanding double-digit lead that left no doubt.
If the Suns want to win the series, they’ll need to perform considerably better at home in Game 3 on Friday.