PHOENIX Suns formalized its entry to the 2023-2024 NBA Season playoffs after a 125-106 beating of Minnesota Timberwolves at the close of the elimination round on Monday (Tuesday in the Philippines) at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Bradley Beal spearheaded the offense with 36 points, including a perfect 6-of-6 shooting from the three-point area. Devin Booker added 23 points and seven assists for the Suns.
Grayson Allen contributed 20 points, hitting all of his three three-point attempts, while Kevin Durant finished with 15 markers, four rebounds, two steals, one assist, and a block for Phoenix.
The Suns secured a Western Conference playoffs seat after finishing at sixth place with a 49-33 record. They will face the Timberwolves in a best-of-seven first round series beginning on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines).
Beal anchored the Sunsâ fiery start as they cruised to a 44-22 lead before the Timberwolves slowly attempted to claw their way back in the contest until they cut the deficit to 78-89 after three quarters.
The Suns regained its offense in the final quarter behind consecutive three-point connections from Beal as they lead grew to 20 points with over five minutes left.
Rudy Gobert scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Minnesota (56-26), Mike Conley added 17 markers, while Anthony Edwards contributed 13 markers in the defeat.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City Thunder secured the top-seed in the Western Conference after a dominant 135-86 victory against the shorthanded Dallas Mavericks.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander top-scored for the Thunder with 15 points, Aaron Wiggins added 14 markers, while Chet Holmgren and Ousmane Dieng ended with 13 markers apiece.
Brandon Williams led the way with 22 points, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper added 15 points for the Mavericks, which were without stars Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Maxi Kleber./PN
BOX SCORE:
PHOENIX 125 — Beal 36, Booker 23, Allen 20, Durant 15, Nurkic 6, Young 5, Okogie 5, O’Neale 4, Bol 4, Little 4, Thomas 3, Eubanks 0, S. Lee 0, Roddy 0.
MINNESOTA 106 — Gobert 21, Conley 17, Edwards 13, Towns 10, Reid 10, Garza 9, McDaniels 6, McLaughlin 5, Anderson 4, Moore 4, Alexander-Walker 3, Miller 2, Minott 2, Morris 0.
Quarterscores: 44-22, 66-53, 89-78, 125-106.
