MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — The Phoenix Suns held off the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-105 at Target Center on Monday night in a back-and-forth NBA contest. Anthony Edwards scored 40 points for the Timberwolves, but Phoenix center Mark Williams answered with 22 points and seven rebounds to lead the Suns. Phoenix led by six after the first quarter, but Minnesota rallied to take a 57-61 halftime edge. The Suns used a strong fourth quarter to secure the road win. Julius Randle added 21 points and eight assists for Minnesota. The Suns improved to 14-10, while the Timberwolves fell to 15-9.

MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — In a game defined by a chaotic third-quarter sequence that saw the ejection of a key starter and a dramatic shift in momentum, the Phoenix Suns edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-105 on Monday night at Target Center. A crowd of 16,046 saw the Suns snap a two-game skid and improve to 14-10, while the Timberwolves fell to 15-9, missing a chance to solidify their position near the top of the Western Conference. The result defied the pregame projections, which heavily favored Minnesota. The game’s pivotal, and most bizarre, moment occurred with 7:59 remaining in the third quarter and the Timberwolves holding a 69-61 lead. Phoenix center Mark Williams, who finished with 22 points and seven rebounds, was fouled hard by Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert on a drive to the basket. Officials initially called a flagrant foul type 1 on Gobert, but after a referee-initiated review, the call was upgraded to a flagrant foul type 2, resulting in Gobert’s ejection. The impact was immediate and profound. Williams, who had been a force inside, split the ensuing free throws. More importantly, the Timberwolves lost their defensive anchor and primary rim protector. Phoenix seized the opportunity, closing the quarter on a 23-15 run to transform an eight-point deficit into a slim 84-84 tie heading into the final period. The Suns’ bench, led by Collin Gillespie’s 19 points and Oso Ighodaro’s 10 points, provided critical energy during this surge. The fourth quarter became a tense back-and-forth affair. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, who led all scorers with a spectacular 40-point performance, and Julius Randle, who added 21 points and eight assists, repeatedly answered Phoenix baskets. Bones Hyland’s 14 points off the bench, including three three-pointers in the final period, kept the Timberwolves within striking distance. With the score tied at 105 and under 10 seconds to play, the Suns’ Gillespie was fouled on a drive. He calmly sank both free throws to put Phoenix ahead 107-105. Minnesota had a final chance, but a rushed three-point attempt by Jaden McDaniels missed as time expired, and a desperation tip-in attempt also failed. The Suns were carried by a balanced attack. Beyond Williams and Gillespie, Royce O’Neale contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Grayson Allen chipped in 12 points. Phoenix’s ability to weather Minnesota’s 34-point second quarter, which gave the Timberwolves a 57-61 halftime lead, and then capitalize on the Gobert ejection proved decisive. For Minnesota, the loss wasted Edwards’ brilliant outing and a 15-point, eight-rebound performance from Gobert before his premature exit. The Timberwolves struggled to find consistent offense outside of their stars, particularly in the game’s closing moments. The victory avenges a 114-113 Phoenix loss to Minnesota on Nov. 21 and gives the Suns a measure of resilience after a blowout loss in Houston last Friday. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, see a three-game winning streak halted as they begin a challenging stretch of their schedule. Phoenix travels to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, while Minnesota continues its homestand against the Golden State Warriors on Friday.

MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — A Western Conference rematch with playoff implications is set for Monday night when the Phoenix Suns visit the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Timberwolves (14-8), riding a four-game winning streak, will look to avenge a narrow 114-113 home loss to the Suns on Nov. 21. Phoenix (13-10) arrives seeking consistency after a 117-98 road loss to Houston on Friday snapped a brief two-game win streak. The matchup features two of the conference’s hottest forwards. Phoenix’s Dillon Brooks enters in elite scoring form, averaging 24.2 points over his last 10 games. He poured in 22 points in the first meeting with Minnesota and is coming off a 23-point performance against Houston. Minnesota counters with Julius Randle, who has powered their recent surge. Randle is averaging 18.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists during the winning streak, including a 28-point, 9-rebound effort in Thursday’s win over New Orleans. He scored 20 against Phoenix in November. The Timberwolves’ recent success has been marked by high-octane offense, scoring 125 or more points in three of their last four games. Center Rudy Gobert, who had a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double last outing, anchors a defense that will be tested by Brooks and the Suns’ perimeter attack. Phoenix, which has lost three of its last five, will need more support beyond Brooks. Guard Jamaree Bouyea (18 points vs. Houston) and center Mark Williams have provided recent sparks. Minnesota holds a slight edge in the standings, but the teams’ only previous meeting this season underscores how tightly contested this matchup can be. The Timberwolves will aim to protect their home court and extend their streak, while the Suns look to regain momentum on the road. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.