NBA playoffs: Anthony Edwards outshines Devin Booker, Kevin Durant to secure Timberwolves sweep of Suns

With their season on the road the Phoenix Suns’ begins shone their brightest on Sunday in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

It wasn’t sufficient.

Led by their very own All-Stars Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Cities, the Timberwolves prevailed, 122-116 in a taut Recreation 4 to safe a 4-0 sweep of the Suns within the first spherical of the NBA playoffs. They overcame 82 mixed factors from Kevin Durant and Devin Booker to safe the collection clincher on the Suns’ house court docket.

The win marks the primary playoff collection victory for the Timberwolves since Kevin Garnett led them to the Western Convention finals in 2004.

Minnesota closed out the victory with out head coach Chris Finch. Finch left the sport early after a sideline collision with level guard Mike Conley within the closing two minutes knocked him to the ground. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported postgame that he is feared to have suffered a torn patellar tendon.

Suns season ends with a thud

With the win, Minnesota turns into the primary crew to advance to the second spherical of the playoffs. The loss delivers a decisive blow to a Suns crew that was constructed round Durant and Booker to compete for a championship. As an alternative, the depth it sacrificed to construct a top-heavy roster proved to be its Achilles heel.

The Suns struggled to seek out manufacturing outdoors its prime two gamers whereas the youthful, extra targeted Timberwolves carried out like playoff veterans.

The Suns did not exit the postseason and not using a battle. Sunday’s was a back-and-forth battle from the opening tip and noticed the lead traded on a number of events within the fourth quarter. It was a stark distinction to the primary three video games that noticed the Timbewolves win every by double figures.

Edwards powers Wolves once more, this time in a decent sport

Finally, Minnesota made extra performs down the stretch and proved it was constructed to win in a tightly contested postseason sport. Edwards shone once more in a 40-point effort whereas hitting a number of massive pictures down the stretch.

His sixth 3-pointer of the sport put Minnesota up 105-101 with 5:30 remaining.

His seventh with 4:12 remaining put Minnesota up, 110-107.

He then silenced the Phoenix crowd with a highlight-reel dunk over Durant to place Minnesota up, 115-111 with 2:13 left on the clock.

The Timberwolves held off the Suns from there to safe the win.

Edwards scored 31 second-half factors after a nine-point first half noticed him battle from the sector on a 2-of-8 effort. He completed with 40 factors, 9 rebounds, six assists, one steal and two blocks en path to the primary playoff collection victory of his profession. He shot 13 of 23 from the sector together with a 7-of-13 effort from lengthy distance.

Cities had considered one of his greatest video games of the collection with 28 factors, 10 rebounds and three assists. He was additionally robust from deep on a 4-of-6 effort. Jaden McDaniels added 18 factors, whereas Conley tallied 10 factors and 7 assists.

Booker’s massive sport not sufficient

Booker met Edwards’ sensational play together with his personal. He completed with a game-high 49 factors alongside six assists, 5 rebounds and two steals. He hit 20 of 21 free throws and three of 5 pictures from lengthy distance, together with a transition 3 that put the Suns up, 99-95 early within the fourth quarter.

Durant added 33 factors, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks on a 12-of-17 effort from the ground.

However no different Suns participant scored in double figures. Bradley Beal scored 9 factors whereas capturing 4 of 13 from the ground. Jusuf Nurkić tallied 9 factors, eight rebounds and 5 assists. The Suns transfer on to the offseason with vital questions on their roster development and whether or not it might probably compete for a championship.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch injured, leaves early

The Timberwolves completed the final 1:41 of the sport with out Finch on the sideline. He was injured on a collision with Conley and needed to be helped off the ground to the locker room.

He spent a number of moments on the court docket after the collision surrounded by trainers and Timberwolves gamers. He in the end limped to the locker room whereas flanked by two crew trainers. The Timberwolves did not present an instantaneous replace on his situation.

The Timberwolves advance to face the winner between the Los Angeles Lakers and reigning champion Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets and Lakers play Monday night time in Denver with the the Nuggets holding a 3-1 collection lead.