Live Blog: Suns Hold On, Defeat the Timberwolves 129-117 in Minnesota

Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges power the Phoenix Suns victory against the Timberwolves in Minnesota

Author:
Spencer Cihak
Updated:
Nov 9, 2022 10:36 PM EST

In this story:

Welcome to Inside The Suns' live blog for Wednesday's matchup between the Phoenix Suns and the Minnesota Timberwolves. This page will be refreshed with each notable event.

The Phoenix Suns (8-3) down the Timberwolves (5-7) in Minnesota 129-117. The Suns led by as much as 27 points in what became a nail biting finish, being outscored in the fourth quarter 35-25. The Timberwolves big 3 of Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Anthony Edwards found themselves in foul trouble early but held on to make things interesting. Devin Booker finished the night with 32 points, 10 assists, and 4 rebounds. Mikal Bridges finished with 31 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals.

END OF GAME 129-117 SUNS VICTORY

28.6 -- Booker with the dagger for the Suns, 129-114 PHX

59.2 -- Payne with a contested 3 makes it and gets fouled, makes his free throw, 127-114 PHX

1:54 -- Torrey Craig with perhaps the biggest offensive rebound of the game keeps Suns possession, 123-112 PHX

3:25 -- Monty Williams calls a timeout to help rest the squad up before the final few minutes. Phoenix led by as much as 28 but now are down to just a 13 point lead. McDaniels and Gobert have been on the forefront for the T-Wolves with 24 and 21 points respectively.

3:50 -- The lead is down to 13 but feels closer, Booker fouls Russell who makes his free throws, 121-108 PHX

5:01 -- KAT fouled by Payne, makes both of his free throws, 119-104 PHX

7:19 -- Both teams have showed visible frustration with officiating tonight, this time the Suns are on the wrong end of it this time, Edwards makes the and one, 117-102 PHX

8:18 -- Minnesota takes a full timeout, they have outscored Phoenix 12-11 in the fourth quarter but still trail 115-94 Suns

8:55 -- Bridges was fouled by Nowell, makes both his shots, 111-94 PHX

Jaden McDaniels is doing anything in his power too will the T-Wolves back into this one, already has a career high in points with 24.

10:56 -- Minnesota challenged an offensive foul call against the Suns and was successful.

Another note, Gobert has really turned it around in the second half with 13 points.

11:15 -- Monty Williams calls a timeout after Minnesota takes advantage of a sloppy start to the Suns 4th quarter, 104-88 Suns.

12:00 -- Booker was called for a technical foul, Jaylen Nowell made the shot, 104-83 Suns

END OF THIRD QUARTER 104-82 SUNS

50.9 -- Jock Landale maybe with his first real struggles of the year is now in foul trouble with 4 after his latest against Gobert. 101-80 PHX

2:17 -- Phoenix takes a full timeout with a 98-73 Suns lead. Landale had a dunk that was heard all the way up in Canada.

3:02 -- Jock Landale was fouled by Gobert, He makes both free throws, 96-71 PHX

Gobert now has 5 fouls.

3:47 -- KAT was charged with a technical foul in what has been a frustrating night for Booker's old college teammate. Booker makes the shot, 92-69 PHX

4:34 -- Booker is fouled by KAT, both his free throws clear, 91-66 PHX

KAT now has 5 fouls tonight.

6:10 -- Payne is fouled by Edwards and makes the and one for Phoenix, 84-66 Suns

Payne has certainly held down the PG job tonight after some early season rust. He has no turnovers tonight and 13 points.

Edwards now has 5 fouls tonight.

6:53 -- Definitely has been the cleanest quarter by far for both teams as time is stopped after the Anthony Edwards out of bounds turn over and a full timeout called by the Timberwolves. Phoenix continues to take advantage of their speed against Minnesota, 82-66 PHX

11:29 -- Bridges comes out showing he's not slowing down with the jumpshot and one, 72 - 51 PHX

Third Quarter

Halftime: Suns Lead 69-51

It is hard to tell how thin Phoenix is so far tonight after the dominant first half they have had against Minnesota. Mikal Bridges leads the Suns in points (18), rebounds (7), steals (3), and is second in assists (5). Devin Booker has been spreading the ball around tonight with 7 assists, has 10 points, and leads the Suns with a 25 +/-. T-Wolves big three of Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Anthony Edwards has been held to 4, 2, and 6 points respectively.

End of Quarter

3:37 -- T-Wolves Timeout. Suns have been spreading the ball around tonight, Booker and Bridges leads the team with 5. Have followed the Ted Lasso method of taking the extra pass -- 57-44 Suns

4:53 -- Russell is fouled by Booker, makes both shots 53-44 PHX

5:26 -- Suns haven't been able to shake Minnesota but still lead 53-42

It is currently colder in Phoenix than Minneapolis

6:51 -- Phoenix with a full timeout. T-Wolves have made quite a comeback out scoring Phoenix 9-3 -- 49-42 Suns

8:16 -- Payne with a classic backyard move -- takes a 3 misses, rebounds, shoots again from the corner and scores - 46-33 Suns

Landry Shamet so far is second in scoring for Phoenix with 11 points and is a perfect with 3-3 shooting and 4-4 at the free throw line.

9:49 -- Suns have struggled with turnovers early on in the quarter. T-Wolves have taken advantage with a 8-0 run. Suns still lead 41-31

Second Quarter

Devin Booker with 6 points in the first quarter and 4 assists. He's been a part of every scoring play it seems so far.

Quarter Ends Suns Lead 39-25

1:08 -- Taurean Prince shooting foul against Shamet, both free throws are made. 33-23 Suns

2:39 -- Gobert called with his third personal foul. KAT already on the bench with 3 as well. Anthony Edwards with 2.

An example:

3:42 -- T-Wolves take a full timeout trailing 25-18. Bridges leads in scoring with 13 points so far. Suns have done a nice job spreading the ball out so far as well with 8 assists, Booker leads the team with 3.

4:32 -- Phoenix retakes the lead with a Saric jumpshot and one! 20-18 Suns

4:48 -- Landry Shamet enters the game for Cameron Payne 18-17 Minnesota

6:12 -- Dario Saric comes in for Torrey Craig.

6:12 -- Karl-Anthony Towns Air Ball from way beyond the arch.

6:38 -- Minnesota takes a full timeout leading 14-11, T-Wolves Russell leads all scoring with 5 points. Ayton has not been seen so far with just 1 point. T-Wolves have 6 points in the paint so far compared to Phoenix's 1.

8:07 -- back-back-to-back shooting fouls all around Ayton made one, Gobert made both, Mikal Bridges made both, 11-10 Suns

9:05 -- Cameron Payne and Devin Booker with 3's so far. 8-8 TIE

First Quarter

Pre-Game

The Phoenix Suns enter tonight's meeting without the luxury of Cam Johnson (meniscus) or Chris Paul (right heel soreness), hoping to avoid back-to-back defeats for the first time all season.

Can the Suns pull off the road upset? Phoenix is +1.5 point underdogs on SI Sportsbook.

Torrey Craig is expected to slot into the starting role for Johnson, similar to the previous two games without him. Cameron Payne is also expected to get the nod in Paul's absence with Damion Lee and Landry Shamet ready off the bench, too.

The Timberwolves are just 5-6 on the year thus far and have lost their last four-of-five, one of which came in Phoenix.

Will Monty Williams be able to guide his team to a victory, or will Minnesota plant the Suns to 0-2 on their road trip?

Opening tip is at 6:00 p.m. Arizona time.

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