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Edwards deflates Suns in 116-98 loss, reviving playoff nightmares

Originally posted on Burn City Sports | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Mar 3, 2025 12:33 AM ET

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns got playoff flashbacks as Anthony Edwards erupted for 44 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 116-98 win.

Phoenix was incapable of making any shots. Kevin Durant led the Suns with 26 points and 10 rebounds on 10-of-23 shooting. He was the only Phoenix player in double-figures. Phoenix committed 20 turnovers on the night that translated to 40 points for the T-wolves.

Edwards scored his 44 points on 12-of-22 shooting and added five rebounds and seven assists while being a plus-22 in 36 minutes. Donte DiVincenzo exploded for 24 points off the bench, making eight 3-pointers in 13 attempts.

This game was crucial for the Suns (28-33); a win would’ve pulled them a game closer to Minnesota for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference standings. Instead, they are now four games behind the Dallas Mavericks and have the Los Angeles Clippers coming in on Tuesday.

Edwards, T-Wolves dominate Suns 3rd quarter

Anthony Edwards went off for 17 of his 32 points in the third quarter as the Timberwolves assumed control and the lead over Phoenix, 83-72.

The Suns simply couldn’t make a shot. Kevin Durant scored eight points in the period, but on 3-of-8 shooting. Devin Booker scored just five points on 1-of-3 shooting. Both stars had 17 points through three quarters, which is exactly as much as Edwards scored in the third quarter alone.

Donte DiVincenzo hit another three 3-pointers in the period, bringing hos total up to 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting from deep. Along with Edwards’ 32 points, he had five rebounds, six assists and was a plus-12 in 30 minutes.

Ice cold 2nd quarter ends with Suns on top

Phoenix followed a hot 34-points first quarter with just 17 in the second quarter on 4-of-19 shooting. Luckily for them, the Timberwolves shot 6-for-21 from the field for just 21 points in the quarter, remaining on top ahead of halftime, 51-49.

Devin Booker led the Suns with 12 points in the half despite scoring just two in the second period. He was the only Phoenix scorer in double figures. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal each had nine points and Tyus Jones was huge off the bench with eight.

Julius Randle led the game with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Anthony Edwards scored seven of his 15 points in the second quarter, and added four rebounds and five assists. A combo of crossovers from Edwards leading to a 3-pointer over Durant shifted momentum down the stretch of the half. Donte DiVincenzo exploded for 12 points (4-of-7 from deep) off the Minnesota bench.

Suns open 1st quarter with a punch, T-wolves respond

After going up by as much as 12 points, a couple of Donte DiVincenzo 3s sparked a Timberwolves run to cut Phoenix’s lead after the first quarter, 34-28.

Devin Booker sparked the Suns’ hot start, leading the team with 10 points in the opening frame on 4-of-5 shooting (two 3s). Kevin Durant added nine points, four rebounds and three assists. Tyus Jones hit two huge 3-pointers towards the end of the quarter to hold off Minnesota’s momentous run.

Julius Randle led all scorers with 11 points on 4-of-6 from the field, but was a minus-11 in nine minutes on the floor. Anthony Edwards added eight points and four assists on 4-of-7 shooting, all of his misses being from beyond the arc.

Injury report

After missing the last two games with calf tightness, Bradley Beal returned to play. Grayson Allen, who missed last game with left foot soreness, and Monte Morris (low back spasms) were also made available.

For Minnesota, Anthony Edwards (right calf soreness) and Julius Randle (right groin strain) were questionable ahead of the game but later made available. Rudy Gobert (lower back injury maintenance) was out.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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