The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Phoenix Suns 120-95 on Saturday in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Anthony Edwards scored 18 of 33 points and pulled nine rebounds in the third quarter.
The Wolves won their first home playoff game in 20 years behind the efforts of Karl-Anthony Towns (19 points), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (18 points on 7 of 12 shooting), and Rudy Gobert has 14 points, 16 rebounds, per the NBA website.
In all three regular-season meetings, the sixth-seeded Suns defeated the third-seeded Wolves, who were behind by double digits for the whole second half. Kevin Durant led the Suns, who took advantage of their lack of size and depth, scoring 31 points on 11 of 17 shots. Bradley Beal scored 15 points, and Devin Booker scored 18 points on 5-of-16 shooting, but the Suns were outrebounded 52-28 and outscored 52-34 in the paint by the Wolves.
Tuesday is Game 2 in Minneapolis, and Game 3 of the best-of-seven series will be played in Phoenix. After making two of his greatest baskets during that span, Anthony Edwards led a 19-4 run to end the third quarter and opened his arms wide to embrace the audience.
Anthony Edwards Triumphs Over His Favorite Player, Kevin Durant
Anthony Edwards hit a 3-pointer from the wing during the Minnesota Timberwolves’ solid third quarter. As he retreated up the floor, he yelled and glanced at Kevin Durant, nodding.
“That’s my favorite player of all time, so that was probably one of the best feelings ever in my whole life, for sure,” Anthony Edwards said. “He made like four or five straight buckets like it was nothing. And I became a fan at one point. There was nothing we could do.”
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Amid a massive roster upheaval that began a little over a year ago, Durant, a 14-time All-Star with two championship rings, was playing at his best during the postseason. The 6-foot-10 Durant sprang into the air with his silky jump jumper, giving the Wolves and their NBA-best defense no answer whether it was a fadeaway, turnaround, or spot-up.
Also Read: Austin Rivers Foresees Anthony Edwards as Future NBA Best Player, Edwards ‘100%’ Agrees
