Suns and Timberwolves Meet in a Battle of Underperforming Teams

When the season started, both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns had high expectations. But now, as they prepare to clash on Sunday night, neither team is where they expected to be.

Minnesota has lost six of its last eight games, slipping to ninth in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Phoenix has dropped 10 of its last 13 and sits outside the play-in tournament in 11th place. With time running out in the regular season, both teams desperately need to find momentum before it’s too late.

Timberwolves Struggling to Regain Last Season’s Form

The Timberwolves were a 56-win team last season, but those days feel like a distant memory. Even if they win their remaining 21 games, they won’t match that total.

Their latest loss was especially frustrating—a 117-116 heartbreaker against the Utah Jazz, sealed by a late dunk from Walker Kessler. Making matters worse, they played that game without their All-Star, Anthony Edwards, who was serving a one-game suspension for accumulating too many technical fouls.

Coach Chris Finch refused to speculate on whether the outcome would have been different with Edwards on the floor.

“It doesn’t do me any good to go through that thought process,” Finch said.

What is clear is that the Timberwolves need to find consistency. The Western Conference standings are incredibly tight, and a short winning streak could propel them several spots higher.

“It’s not the panic button,” said Donte DiVincenzo. “But you look at the standings, and if you string four or five together, you climb four spots. You lose four or five, you drop five spots. There has to be a higher sense of urgency.”

Edwards, who averaged 28.5 points in two previous wins against the Suns, will need to be at his best. Before his suspension, he had scored 20 or more points in 18 straight games. But his last two outings were quieter—17 points against Oklahoma City and 18 against the Lakers. If Minnesota hopes to snap out of this funk, they’ll need Edwards to be aggressive again.

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Suns’ Defensive Woes Continue Despite Brief Resurgence

Phoenix has struggled defensively, allowing at least 100 points in 17 straight games. Before Friday’s 125-108 win over the Pelicans, they had given up 117 or more points in 12 consecutive contests.

But in that win, the Suns showed signs of life. Bol Bol stepped up with 25 points, knocking down a career-high five three-pointers. Nick Richards also made an impact with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Bol said. “My teammates are helping me keep my confidence, and they tell me to shoot when I’m open and stay aggressive.”

Still, the Suns have a lot to figure out. First-year head coach Mike Budenholzer is still trying to implement his system, and reports of locker room drama haven’t helped. There was even speculation that Budenholzer asked star guard Devin Booker to soften his blunt postgame remarks.

After a frustrating 124-116 loss to New Orleans on Thursday, Booker had no interest in sugarcoating things.

“It’s time to draw a line,” he said. “No more ‘get them next time’ mentality.”

Budenholzer, for his part, didn’t seem concerned about Booker’s comments.

“He’s a very upfront, very honest; he’s a very real person,” Budenholzer said. “He and I have very real conversations. Usually anything he’s said, whether it be in here or somewhere else, he’s probably said it to me 100 times.”

Booker has been doing his part on the floor. Over the last seven games, he’s averaging 8.7 assists, and before Friday’s 17-point outing, he had averaged 31 points over a four-game stretch.

Phoenix is still without Bradley Beal (left calf), and Grayson Allen (left foot soreness) missed Friday’s game. Their availability could impact the Suns’ ability to compete at full strength.

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What’s at Stake?

This isn’t just another regular-season game—it’s a battle between two teams on the edge of collapse.

For Minnesota, a win could provide much-needed stability and prove they can compete in the tightly-packed Western Conference playoff race.

For Phoenix, it’s about stopping the bleeding and showing they can still be a serious contender. The Suns have talent, but if they don’t start winning soon, even making the playoffs could become a challenge.

With Anthony Edwards back and Devin Booker demanding urgency, this could be one of the most intense matchups of the season for both squads. Who will step up when it matters most? Sunday night will tell the story.