In a thrilling showdown, the Minnesota Timberwolves clinched a remarkable 4-0 sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA playoffs, overcoming stellar performances from Suns’ stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Led by their own dynamic duo of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves secured a hard-fought 122-116 victory in Game 4, marking their first playoff series win since 2004 when Kevin Garnett led the team to the Western Conference finals.
The game, however, took a somber turn for the Timberwolves as head coach Chris Finch exited early due to an injury sustained in a collision with point guard Mike Conley. The severity of his injury remains uncertain.
While the Suns’ season came to an abrupt end, the Timberwolves’ triumph propelled them to the second round of the playoffs. Despite the Suns’ formidable roster anchored by Durant and Booker, their lack of depth proved to be their downfall against the youthful and determined Timberwolves.
Sunday’s game was a nail-biting affair, with both teams trading leads in a fiercely contested battle. However, Minnesota’s resilience and clutch performances, particularly from Edwards, ultimately sealed the victory.
Edwards showcased his talent with a sensational 40-point display, including crucial 3-pointers that swung the momentum in favor of the Timberwolves. Towns also delivered a standout performance with 28 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite Booker’s remarkable 49-point effort and Durant’s 33-point contribution, the Suns struggled to find scoring support beyond their star duo. With no other Suns player reaching double figures, their postseason journey came to a disappointing end.
As the Timberwolves look ahead to the next round, questions loom over Finch’s injury and their matchup against the winner of the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets series. Meanwhile, the Suns face offseason uncertainties regarding their roster and championship aspirations.