In a stunning upset, the Minnesota Timberwolves swept the heavily-favored Phoenix Suns in four games during the first round of the NBA playoffs. The series concluded on April 28th with a final score of 122-116 in favor of the Timberwolves.
While the Suns dominated the regular season matchups between the two teams, winning all three by an average of 16 points, the playoffs painted a different picture. Minnesota’s young stars, Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, exploded throughout the series. Edwards’ athleticism and Towns’ inside-out game proved too much for the Suns to handle.
Phoenix, despite boasting Kevin Durant, struggled with a lack of depth and size compared to the Timberwolves. Durant was forced to play out of position at times, and the Suns’ bench production paled in comparison to Minnesota’s.
This series win marks a significant moment for the Timberwolves franchise. It’s their first playoff series victory in over two decades, and sends a strong message to the rest of the league about their potential. The Suns, on the other hand, will head into the offseason with questions surrounding their roster construction and coaching decisions.