Wolves vs. Sun’s end result: Alexander-Walker scores 23 in road gain

Minnesota Timberwolves traveled to the Sun’s valley for the first time since sweeping of Phoenix Suns In the first round of 2023-24 NBA Playoffs. This is a Western conference match between two teams in the tight of the river when fighting for the playoff position.

Anthony Edwards, facing his idol Kevin Durant, always creates good hangers. The wolves appeared to continue their victory traits before traveling to Salt Lake City for a back-to-back tomorrow night against Utah Jazz. The last and only time these two teams met this season, it took a Julius Randle-Summer-Beater to take down a short-haired Phoenix team.

The recent story between these two teams is high and we got another chapter of the book tonight.

Nick Wosika-prescribed images

Devin Booker and Durant started the game hot when Julius Randle tried to match their output to start the quarter. When Suns started cutting a lead, Wolves coach Chris Finch was in the officials’ ears early to get a technical error seven minutes into the game. Anthony Edwards helped tie the game on 20 with a couple of buckets down the stretch, but Ryan Dunn and Bradley Beal burned a 9-2 race in the final 1:40 to take a seven-point lead at the end of the first .

With Timberwolves Shorthanded, they needed a boost offensive to keep up with insulation scorers of Phoenix. Julius Randle provided this spark with eight quick points as Ant went to the bench. Despite this boomlet, Suns held their comfortable lead in large parts of the 2nd quarter. However, the wolves would not disappear as Ant used his 3-point skill to pull Minnesota within one. Some bad revenue in the last few minutes of the first light Phoenix regains their lead, 59-55 at the break.

Suns started the third quarter strong ballooning of their lead to nine, but the wolves would not let go. Chris Finch maintained his argument with the first quarter judges, resulting in him getting his second technical and being thrown out at the 5:07 mark. In a sight that was awkwardly similar to Game 4 in the Phoenix series, Micah Nori patrolled the sidelines for the rest of the night. The defense clung down the stretch and Jaylen Clark played some good minutes to take over the lead 81-77 at the end of the third.

A strong start to the 4th quarter and a couple of Nickeil Alexander-Walker triangles swollen Wolves’ lead to double digits that forced a Phoenix-timeout. After a break in the scoring, Wolves jumped on a 12-3 race emphasized by NAW, who rained several triangles and Anthony Edwards, dunk and bent on everything that is in sight.

The good vibes continued throughout the fourth with only the light mandatory horror in the form of an 11-3 race over the last three minutes. Timberwolves closed an impressive short-haired victory (but not until Jaden McDaniels showed off his hatred against Devin Booker and was thrown into the process) 121-113.

Key takeaways

Three -headed monster

When Timberwolves lacked Divine Divincenzo and Naz Reid, they knew they had to get a lot out of Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle and they delivered. Anthony Edwards fell 33 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, and Julius Randle had 28 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists with an effective 10/16 from the floor.

While you hope these two would carry the load, they also got a huge boost from Nickeil Alexander-Walker. NAW had 23 points and 4 rebounds including walking 5/10 from three. It was a massive contribution from the bench, especially without Reid and Divincenzo. Nickeil was also the catalyst for barrier to start 4th quarter that hit three difficult three

Expansion of the rotation

Without two key bench players, you knew there were minutes to get. Chris Finch (and subsequently Micah Nori) gave a lot of players some races, whom we have only seen sporadically this year. Josh Minott, Luka Garza, Jaylen Clark and Rob Dillingham got everyone a few minutes in this game. While Josh Minott’s stint was short and uninspiring, lasted for all 12 seconds, and Luka Garza played only four minutes that hit a three boats Rob Dillingham and Jaylen Clark, both played well in their time.

Rob scored 8 points and added 3 assists that delivered his usual pop. However, the real star of these reserves was Jaylen Clark. Clark had only 2 points, but added three rebounds and played phenomenal defense. They threw him right into the fire where he had guarded Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, and he appeared well on these guys. There was also plenty of congestion that increased the energy from the entire team.

January’s offensive skill continues

In the month of January, Timberwolves are 10. In offensive rating of 116.7. Their offense has been much improved as the calendar tilted until 2025 and this game continued this theme. Minnesota shot 56% off the field and 44.8% from three, while he had a 124.7 offensive rating in the game. They came out and ran outscoring of Suns 18-6 in quick break points. This offensive breakthrough is something to keep an eye on on the way into February and the rest of the season.

Up next

Timberwolves take the short trip north to Salt Lake City and take the jazz to a quick road back-to-back tomorrow at. 20.00 ct. We all know what happened the last time Timberwolves played in Utah.

Rob Gray-Misted Pictures

Game High Points