Timberwolves play Suns in first round of playoffs: What you need to know
MINNEAPOLIS — Fresh off of one of the best regular seasons in franchise history, the Minnesota Timberwolves are taking on the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Here's everything you need to know about the showdown.
What is the Timberwolves' playoff schedule?
As the higher seed, the Wolves will host the Suns to start the series. Here's the full schedule:
• Game 1: Suns at Timberwolves; Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
• Game 2: Suns at Timberwolves; Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
• Game 3: Timberwolves at Suns; Friday, April 26, 9:30 p.m.
• Game 4: Timberwolves at Suns; Sunday, April 28, 9:30 p.m.
• Game 5 (if needed): Suns at Timberwolves; Tuesday, April 30 (time TBD)
• Game 6 (if needed): Timberwolves at Suns; Thursday, May 2 (time TBD)
• Game 7 (if needed): Suns at Timberwolves; Saturday, May 4 (time TBD)
What's the series record?
The Wolves took game one 120-95. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 33 points, while Kevin Durant put up 31 for Phoenix. Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 points, Rudy Gobert scored 14 and had 16 rebounds and Nickeil Alexander-Walker did damage off the bench for the Wolves.
In game two, Edwards and Towns were relatively quiet, but Jaden McDaniels stepped up with 25 points to give the Wolves a 105-93 win. That's two double-digit wins for the Wolves this playoffs, and they've held the Suns under 100 points both times.
The Wolves lead the series 2-0.
Are the Wolves healthy?
With the return of Towns just before the end of the regular season, the Wolves are heading into the playoffs with all of their starters good to go.
Towns missed 18 games with a knee injury over the final stretch of the season. Jaden McDaniels was out for a few games early in the season, but no other Wolves starters missed significant time. Towns, McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley and Edwards are all healthy for the postseason.
How did the Wolves do against the Suns this season?
The Timberwolves went 0-3 against the Suns during the regular season — two losses on the road and one at home. Towns was out for one of those games.
The Suns beat the Wolves by double digits each time.
Who are the Suns' best players?
The Suns are led by two of the league's best scorers, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. In the first Wolves-Suns matchup this season, they scored 31 points each in a 133-115 win for Phoenix.
Bradley Beal, the Suns' third option, destroyed the Wolves in the final game of the season, scoring 36 points on 74% shooting. He made all six of his three-point attempts.
Are tickets still available?
Tickets for the Wolves' first two home games have gone on sale and are still available. They start at $74.
Tickets for a potential game five at Target Center will go on sale Friday.
Naz Reid?
