Monday, December 23, 2024

NBA play-offs: Minnesota Timberwolves complete series victory over Phoenix Suns

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The Minnesota Timberwolves won a play-off series for the first time in 20 years after defeating the Phoenix Suns 122-116 to complete a 4-0 Western Conference first-round win.

Anthony Edwards top-scored with 40 points – 31 in the second half – and also had nine rebounds.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 28 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota while Jaden McDaniels had 18 points.

The victory came despite big efforts from Suns duo Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. with Booker scoring a play-off career-high of 49 points and Durant adding 33.

Minnesota will face either the Denver Nuggets or the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semi-finals.

They had to complete the game without coach Chris Finch – the former Sheffield Sharks boss had to be helped off the court for treatment with one minute and 41 seconds left after being run into by his own player Mike Conley.

Elsewhere, the Indiana Pacers eased to a 126-113 win over the understrength Milwaukee Bucks to go 3-1 up in their Eastern Conference first-round tie.

The Bucks were already without injured stars Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo and had Bobby Portis ejected early on.

Myles Turner scored 29 points and Tyrese Haliburton added 24, despite being a doubt for the game with a back problem.

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