The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a disappointing defeat against the Phoenix Suns on November 10, 2023, losing by a narrow margin of 114-113 despite leading by eight points in the final minute. The game took place in Phoenix, where Collin Gillespie delivered a clutch shot in isolation with just six seconds remaining, pushing the Suns ahead. Julius Randle had a chance to secure a win for the Timberwolves but missed a three-point attempt as time expired.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Timberwolves lost composure in the closing moments, committing three turnovers within a span of 27 seconds. Additionally, Anthony Edwards missed two crucial free throws that could have changed the outcome. Following the game, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch expressed frustration, stating, “We lost our minds. Poor execution. Turnovers, obviously, and just didn’t stay locked in for the last 90 seconds.”
The Timberwolves now face a critical challenge as they must defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday to advance to the knockout stage of the NBA Cup for the first time. This defeat marks Minnesota’s sixth loss this season against teams with winning records, leaving their record at 0-6 in such matchups.
Timberwolves Struggle in Key Moments
Minnesota’s struggles against top teams continue to be evident. Last season, the Timberwolves boasted an impressive 8-0 record against the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns. However, they have now lost all three encounters with these teams this season. On Friday night, the Timberwolves fell behind early, trailing by eight points in the first quarter and 13 points at halftime, unable to match the Suns’ execution and physicality from the start.
A notable absence for the Suns was Devin Booker, who fouled out with over two minutes remaining. Despite this, the Timberwolves could not take advantage of the situation. Dillon Brooks also fouled out in the final moments, yet Minnesota’s late-game execution fell short.
Edwards had a standout performance, scoring 41 points, including 19 in the third quarter. He was aggressive, hitting some key three-pointers and driving to the basket effectively. Nevertheless, he will likely remember the missed free throws and turnover in the final moments that contributed to the Timberwolves’ downfall.
Defensive Efforts and Missed Opportunities
Defensively, Jaden McDaniels played a pivotal role, limiting Booker’s effectiveness. The star guard managed only four successful shots out of 18 attempts before fouling out, and despite recording 10 assists, he also tied his career high with nine turnovers. McDaniels has consistently proven to be a challenging matchup for Booker, continuing a trend from Minnesota’s playoff sweep of Phoenix in 2024.
Had the Timberwolves secured the victory, Rudy Gobert would have been a key unsung hero, demonstrating relentless effort on the boards. He drew the foul that ultimately sent Booker to the bench and contributed seven points and five rebounds in the fourth quarter alone.
As the Timberwolves look ahead to their next game against the Thunder, they will need to address their late-game execution to improve their chances of advancing in the NBA Cup. The team will undoubtedly reflect on this missed opportunity as they seek to turn their season around.
