The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t just beat the Phoenix Suns — they erased them. On Friday, March 28, 2025, at Target Center in Minneapolis, the Wolves closed out a perfect 4-0 season sweep with a 124-109 throttling, sending a message to the entire Western Conference: they’re not just playing for the playoffs — they’re aiming to climb them.
A Sweep That Speaks Volumes
Four games. Four losses for Phoenix. Four dominant performances by Minnesota. This wasn’t a fluke. It wasn’t a hot streak. It was a statement. The Wolves outscored the Suns by an average of 14.5 points across the series, and in this final meeting, they did it without their star shooting guard, Anthony Edwards, for a full quarter. He finished with 20 points, five assists, and four rebounds — but only after sitting out the entire second period with a left ankle tweak. The fact that Minnesota still outscored Phoenix 30-24 in that quarter says everything about their depth.Julius Randle, the veteran power forward acquired last offseason, was the engine. He dropped 25 points, eight assists, and six rebounds — the kind of all-around game that turns good teams into contenders. He attacked the rim, pulled up from mid-range, and even dished out dimes like a point guard. His chemistry with Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns (who added 18 points and 11 boards) has become the backbone of this team’s offense. And when the Suns tried to double-team him? He found open shooters. When they sagged? He punished them.
Phoenix’s Struggles Are No Mystery
For the Phoenix Suns, this was another gut punch. Kevin Durant, as always, carried the load — 23 points, six rebounds, three threes. But he was surrounded by silence. Devin Booker scored just 15 on 5-of-17 shooting. Jusuf Nurkić was held to eight points and four rebounds, his usual physical presence muted by Minnesota’s aggressive rotations. The Suns’ defense? It looked tired. Confused. Out of sync.After scoring 21 points in the first quarter, Phoenix managed just 24 in the second, 30 in the third, and 34 in the fourth — a clear sign they were running out of gas. Meanwhile, Minnesota kept pushing. Their bench, led by Jordan McLaughlin (14 points, 7 assists), outscored Phoenix’s reserves 38-21. That’s not a coincidence. That’s a roster built to last.
The Playoff Picture Tightens
With the win, the Minnesota Timberwolves improved to 42-32, sitting sixth in the Western Conference — just 5.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the third seed. They’ve won 10 of their last 16 games. That’s playoff-caliber basketball.For the Suns? They’re at 35-39. Six games left. They’re 1.5 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the eighth seed — and the Lakers have a game in hand. Phoenix’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. And losing four straight to a team they were expected to beat? That’s not just bad luck. It’s a crisis.
“We’re not out of it,” said Suns head coach Frank Vogel after the game. “But we can’t keep letting teams like this walk all over us.”
What’s Next? High Stakes Finale
The Wolves’ next game is Sunday, March 30, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit’s been tanking, but Minnesota can’t afford to look past them. A win here could lock in a top-six seed — and home-court advantage in the first round.Meanwhile, the Suns host the Houston Rockets at Footprint Center that same night at 9:00 PM ET. Houston’s playing with nothing to lose. Phoenix? They’re playing for survival. The game will be televised nationally on NBA TV — and if the Suns lose, their season could be over before April.
The Bigger Picture
This sweep isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about identity. The Timberwolves have spent years being labeled as “talented but inconsistent.” Now, they’re showing they can close. They’re showing they can win on the road, win in crunch time, win when their star is hurt. That’s the mark of a true contender.The Suns, meanwhile, are at a crossroads. Durant is 36. Booker is 27. The core is still young enough to compete — but their defense, their depth, their cohesion — all of it is crumbling. The front office has decisions to make this summer. And this sweep? It’s a loud warning.
As the NBA regular season winds down, this game will be remembered not just for the score — but for what it revealed. The Wolves are rising. The Suns are falling. And in the West, that’s the difference between April excitement and April disappointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is a four-game season sweep in the NBA?
A four-game sweep is rare in the NBA, especially between teams in the same conference. Only 12% of matchups with four games played end in a sweep. For the Timberwolves, this is their first sweep of the Suns since 2017 — and it’s the first time they’ve done it with a full-strength roster. It signals a shift in conference power.
Why does Anthony Edwards’ injury matter for Minnesota’s playoff chances?
Edwards is Minnesota’s primary scorer and emotional leader. Missing even a quarter in a tight game showed their depth, but if he’s limited in the playoffs, their ceiling drops. The fact they won without him for 12 minutes is encouraging — but his health remains the biggest X-factor in their postseason run.
What does this mean for the Suns’ front office?
The Suns are 35-39 with six games left — likely out of the playoffs. That means a top-10 draft pick is possible. With Durant’s contract expiring in 2026 and Booker’s trade value high, Phoenix may pivot to rebuilding. This sweep exposed their lack of defensive discipline and bench depth — two areas that need urgent overhaul.
How do the Timberwolves compare to other Western Conference contenders?
Minnesota’s 42 wins put them in the mix with Denver, Golden State, and Sacramento. Their strength? Balanced scoring and defensive versatility. Unlike Denver, they don’t rely on one superstar. Unlike the Warriors, they’re healthy. They’re the most underrated team in the West — and this sweep proves they belong.
What’s the historical context of the Timberwolves vs. Suns rivalry?
The Suns have dominated this matchup over the last decade, especially during the Durant-Booker era. Minnesota had won just 3 of their last 15 games against Phoenix before this season. Now, they’ve swept them in 2025 — their first such sweep since 2004. It’s a symbolic turning point.
Can the Timberwolves make a deep playoff run?
They have the pieces: elite scoring, solid defense, and playoff-tested veterans like Randle and Towns. But their biggest weakness is consistency on the road — they’re just 18-21 away from Target Center. If they can win two or three games on the road in the first round, they could reach the Western Conference Finals. This sweep proves they’re capable.
