Timberwolves bury Suns in Game 3 to take a 3-0 lead in the series for the first time

The Timberwolves have a 3-0 lead in a playoff series for the first time.

The Timberwolves gave a resounding answer when asked if their Western Conference first-round matchup with the Phoenix Suns would look different if the series shifted to Phoenix for Game 3, and it was a resounding no. The Wolves routed the Suns 126-109 on Friday night.

The Suns have a Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but the Timberwolves have a team that is much deeper. Whether it was All-Stars Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns combining for 22 points in the first quarter or Nickeil Alexander-Walker coming off the bench to drain four 3-pointers in the third quarter, Minnesota had the edge all game . 3, and honestly, for the series.

Towns and Edwards were just two of six Timberwolves players to finish in double figures on Friday night. Towns battled through foul trouble all night — he had three with just over six minutes and 30 seconds left in the second quarter — and finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

The Suns were never going to throw in the towel. They came out and scored 32 points against the Timberwolves’ top-ranked defense in the first quarter. At halftime they were only six points behind. Despite being shut out in the third quarter, they made a strong push in the fourth quarter.

The Suns cut their deficit to just 12 points in the fourth quarter after entering the frame with 22 points. But Edwards played the role of closer, driving to the hoop and drawing foul after foul, making his shots from the free-throw line. to ensure Phoenix would never get within single digits.

Edwards did a little bit of everything with 36 points, nine boards, five assists and a pair of steals.

It was Edwards’ seventh playoff game with 30 points, tying Kevin Garnett’s franchise record.

Durant, Booker and Beal combined to score 76 points, but the rest of the Suns mustered just 33. That star-studded trio – as talented as they may be – simply hasn’t been a match for the all-around team effort that has been put forward. of the Timberwolves.

Defensive Player of the Year leader Rudy Gobert did what he always does: make life difficult for opponents defensively, while keeping attacking play alive and finding a host of ways to contribute offensively, including a breakaway in the Euros in the first quarter.

Gobert, who finished with 19 points and 14 boards, was in trouble early, getting two in the first quarter, but by the end of the night he was one of the few Timberwolves players not in foul trouble. But there were no major issues that could slow the Wolves down Friday night in Phoenix.

The Timberwolves led 59-53 at halftime, and just like in Game 1, they completely flipped the script and turned the game around in the third quarter, outscoring the Suns 36-20 in the frame. Alexander-Walker was an important part of that with his four three-pointers in the quarter. He had 16 points.

But the game itself belongs to everyone. Cities opened the third quarter with back-to-back buckets. Mike Conley, who recorded 15 points and seven assists, knocked down timely shots throughout.

Naz Reid, who also had foul trouble on Friday evening, came off the bench and scored thirteen.

The Timberwolves made history on Friday night, taking a 3-0 series lead for the first time in franchise history. They’ll get a chance to earn more on Sunday night, with a prime opportunity to secure the first win in franchise history. If this team effort continues, it will soon be a reality.