Game Recap: Suns clinch sixth seed in Minnesota, 125-106

The Phoenix Suns continued their ownership of the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, sweeping the season series 3-0 with a 125-106 victory. With the win, they have officially clinched a spot in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

They have clinched the 6th seed with a little help from the Lakers who took down the Pelicans today. Denver and Oklahoma City each won, dropping the Wolves to the third seed which means these teams will face off in the first round.

Bradley Beal finished with 36 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals on 14-21 FG (6-6 3PFG). Booker finished with 23 points, and Allen chipped in with 20.

The Suns' defense early was suffocating and the engagement on that end has elevated this team to another level. They held Minnesota to three sub-30-point quarters, predicated on team defense.

Phoenix will need to continue that defensive effort heading into the playoffs. The Suns might be peaking at the right time, especially on that end of the floor. The 4th quarter struggles have dissipated of late, another encouraging sign.

Game Flow

First Half

The Suns got off to a strong start, picking up the momentum from their win in Sacramento. Bradley Beal was on an absolute tear early, scoring 16 points in the first quarter.

They connected on 8 of their first 10 shots, jumping out to a 20-14 lead. The threes were falling early, building momentum on both ends. When the shots fall, life gets a lot easier.

Phoenix took a 44-22 lead into the 2nd quarter, doubling up on the Wolves led by Beal’s 16 points on 6 of 7 shooting.

Minnesota got off to a 16-11 advantage to begin the second quarter, cutting into the Suns’ lead. Some ridiculous shot-making from Phoenix built the lead back up to 20, 61-41 after a pair of off-balance fading jumpers from Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.

The Suns made some tick-tack fouls while Minnesota was in the bonus late in the 2nd quarter, giving the Wolves some easy points to cut into the lead. The Wolves closed on a 9-0 run before a Grayson Allen drive stopped the bleeding.

Phoenix led 66-53 heading into the break. Phoenix had four scorers in double figures. Beal had 18. Allen and Booker each had 12, and Durant had 10.

Photo by David Berding/Getty Images

Second Half

The teams exchanged buckets early in the third, with Mike Conley exposing the Suns in the pick-and-roll game, feeding Gobert down low.

Bradley Beal continued to torment the Minnesota defense. His downhill attacks led to easy buckets for himself along with generating clean looks for others.

The overwhelming size difference was getting to Phoenix, as Minnesota forced the ball inside early and often in the quarter. Phoenix’s 18 fouls to Minnesota’s 12 led to a 20-to-9 free throw advantage for the Wolves midway through the 3rd quarter.

Phoenix matched another Minnesota run as they cut it down to 10, extending the lead back to 15 points.

After three quarters of action, Phoenix led 89-78.

Bradley Beal knocked down a massive three to kick off the 4th quarter to force a Wolves timeout with 8:13 remaining in the quarter and Phoenix leading 102-84.

From there, the Suns shut the door and would not let them come close again.

It was the Bradley Beal show. Suns win. 6th seed secured.

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It’s playoff time in the Valley! Let’s do this.

Photo by David Berding/Getty Images