The Minnesota Timberwolves fell to the Phoenix Suns 114-113 in a thrilling NBA Cup matchup on Friday night. After rallying from an 18-point deficit to lead late in the fourth quarter, the Wolves collapsed in the final minute. Anthony Edwards scored 41 points but missed crucial free throws down the stretch.
The game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns was a back-and-forth battle in the NBA Cup group stage. The Timberwolves trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half but mounted a comeback with a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Suns 33-19 to enter the fourth with a one-point lead.
The fourth quarter featured intense action, with 12 lead changes and five ties overall. Minnesota built a 113-105 advantage with 1:09 remaining. However, chaos ensued as Royce O'Neal's layup made it 113-107 at 49.3 seconds. An inbound pass by Anthony Edwards was stolen, leading to Jordan Goodwin's three-pointer that cut the lead to three points with 43.4 seconds left.
Julius Randle then turned the ball over, allowing Goodwin to score and tie the game at 113-112 with 21.4 seconds to go. The Suns fouled Edwards, who had tallied 41 points on 14-of-24 shooting, including 5-of-11 from three-point range. Edwards missed both free throws at 12.7 seconds.
After a Suns timeout, reserve Collin Gillespie drove past Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo for a short jumper, giving Phoenix a 114-113 lead with 6.4 seconds remaining. Randle's desperation three-point attempt at the buzzer missed.
Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks both fouled out for the Suns, yet Gillespie stepped up with 34 minutes off the bench, scoring a season-high 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting. The loss drops Minnesota to 10-6 overall and 2-1 in NBA Cup group play. They face Oklahoma City next Wednesday, potentially needing a win to advance.