MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In a thrilling Sunday afternoon matchup, Julius Randle's heroic buzzer-beating 3-pointer sealed a 120-117 victory for the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Phoenix Suns. Randle's remarkable performance included a game-high 35 points, with the final shot coming from 24 feet out as time expired.
Despite a stellar 44-point effort from Devin Booker, who led the Suns in the absence of injured stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, it was Randle's clutch play that ultimately decided the outcome.
Anthony Edwards contributed 24 points for the Timberwolves, with the majority of his scoring output coming in the second half. Edwards also made headlines for receiving a technical foul on the same day he was fined by the league for an inappropriate gesture in a previous game.
Off the bench, Grayson Allen provided a valuable spark for the Suns with 18 points, including crucial 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Key Takeaways
Suns: Despite holding a significant lead in the first half, Phoenix allowed Minnesota to stay in the game after halftime, ultimately leading to their defeat.
Timberwolves: Randle showcased his best performance since joining the team in a trade from the Knicks earlier this season. His consistent scoring throughout the game culminated in the game-winning shot.
Key Moment
A well-timed timeout enabled the Timberwolves to advance the ball and execute the crucial out-of-bounds play that resulted in Randle's game-winning 3-pointer.
Key Stat
Edwards struggled in the first half, scoring only four points, his lowest first-half total of the season. However, he bounced back in the second half when the Timberwolves needed a scoring boost to overcome a double-digit deficit.
Up Next
The Suns will look to bounce back as they host the Orlando Magic on Monday, while the Timberwolves are set to face the Toronto Raptors on Thursday.
For more NBA coverage, visit AP NBA.