The Wolves didn’t show the same fight and intensity against the Suns Wednesday night that they displayed in Tuesday night’s ugly win over Golden State as Phoenix ran Minnesota out of the building in a 133-115 win.
Grayson Allen’s game-opening 3-pointer set the tone for the night as Phoenix was lights out from start to finish, especially from deep, shooting 10-of-17 from beyond the arc in the first half.
Minnesota cut a 14-point first quarter deficit down to a six heading into the second quarter but the Suns opened the second on an 17-5 run and led Minnesota by 22 at half while shooting 63% from the field.
The Suns held the Wolves at bay throughout the second half, occasionally allowing small runs but rarely letting Minnesota come within 20 points.
DREW DROPS THE HAMMER 🔨 https://t.co/vH6QfVAzLo pic.twitter.com/Hpa0CHs9GA
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 16, 2023
Karl-Anthony Towns followed up his 33-point game against the Warriors with a 25-point effort, shooting 10-of-17 from the floor but going 0-of-4 from 3. Naz Reid didn’t score until 2:18 left in the third quarter but ended up with 13 points on the night.
Anthony Edwards struggled, hitting just 4-of-16 shots and finishing with 13 points. Rudy Gobert mustered juts four points.
While Bradley Beal’s late scratch ruined the debut of the Suns’ big three, Phoenix got huge games from their other two superstars. Kevin Durant missed just four shots all night and finished with 31 points, and Devin Booker matched Durant’s 31 on 12-of-22 shooting. .
Allen’s 3-pointer to put the Suns up 127-104 with 4:32 left in the fourth was enough for Minnesota head coach Chris Finch to pull the starters and call it a night.
Up next: Timberwolves at Pelicans, Saturday at 6 p.m. CT.
