The Timberwolves showcased their dominance on the court as they secured a resounding 120-95 victory over the Suns. From the opening tip-off, it was clear that Minnesota came to play, displaying exceptional teamwork and skill throughout the game. Their offense was firing on all cylinders, with players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards leading the charge with impressive scoring performances.
Defensively, the Timberwolves were equally impressive, stifling the Suns' offense and forcing turnovers with their aggressive play. The team's commitment to both ends of the floor was evident in their commanding performance.
The Minnesota Timberwolves' dynamic young superstar, dripping with confidence, had already buried a string of jumpers, becoming more animated after each one widened the score. Then, with 48 seconds left in the game-defining third quarter, Edwards drifted toward the left wing and took aim.
Kevin Durant's infinite wingspan was a touch too late on the closeout and Edwards' 3-pointer danced through the net, letting loose a deafening roar from a sellout crowd.
Kevin Durant scored 31 points on 11-for-17 shooting to lead the Suns, whose disadvantages in depth and size were exploited. Devin Booker had 18 points on 5-for-16 shooting and Bradley Beal added 15 points, but the Suns were outrebounded 52-28 and outscored 52-34 in the paint by the Wolves.
Game 2 is in Minneapolis on Tuesday before the best-of-seven series shifts to Phoenix for Game 3.
Devin Booker hit a pair of free throws after Edwards’ second 3 put Minnesota up 19, but Nickeil Alexander-Walker drilled another 3 to make it an even 20-point lead heading into the fourth.
 "Everybody was ready," said Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who had 18 points off the bench and finished with a team-best plus-minus of plus-28. "I think having that week, not having to worry about the play-in just got us going. Home-court advantage as well, sleeping in your own bed, all things like that.
For the Timberwolves, Edwards starred, but the team received well-rounded efforts from Towns (19 points, 7 rebounds), Gobert (14 points, 16 rebounds) and the bench, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker scoring 18 and Naz Reid adding 12 points.
Most impressively, the Timberwolves held decisive edges in rebounds (52 to 28), points in the paint (52 to 34) and second-chance points (20 to 6).
"Our focus and our urgency was obviously at an all-time high," Gobert said. "I love how we respected the game plan all 48 minutes, from the first to the last. We tried to not let them get a hot start like they did the three other games and just do what we do."
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