The Minnesota Timberwolves refused to fold. Despite losing two key guards to injury and foul trouble in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota rallied for a 112-106 victory at Target Center on April 26, 2024, forcing a decisive Game 5 in Phoenix.
The win, fueled by Anthony Edwards’ 34 points and Rudy Gobert’s dominant interior presence, kept the Timberwolves’ season alive as they entered the elimination game as 6th-seed underdogs against the 3rd-seed Suns. Edwards, who had been limited in previous games by defensive attention and physical play, erupted for 12 points in the fourth quarter alone, including a critical 3-pointer with 2:15 remaining that set Minnesota ahead for good.
“We knew they were coming after us hard,” Edwards said after the game. “But we stayed locked in. Rudy was a monster inside, and when they doubled me, we found the open man. That’s how we’ve got to play.”
The Timberwolves overcame the absence of starting point guard Mike Conley, who missed the game with a right hamstring strain, and the early foul trouble of backup guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who picked up his fourth personal foul with 8:12 left in the second quarter and did not return. Phoenix had targeted Minnesota’s backcourt aggressively, hoping to disrupt their rhythm and force turnovers.
Instead, Minnesota adjusted. Head coach Chris Finch inserted rookie guard Rob Dillingham into the starting lineup alongside Edwards, giving the Wolves more athleticism and defensive versatility. Dillingham responded with 10 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals in 28 minutes, hitting two timely 3-pointers and providing the spark Minnesota needed when Conley’s playmaking was missed.
“Rob gave us energy,” Finch said. “He’s fearless. He attacked the basket, made the right reads, and didn’t back down. That’s exactly what we needed when our backcourt was depleted.”
Gobert anchored the defense with 16 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 blocks, altering countless Suns shots inside and cleaning up misses. His presence allowed Minnesota to limit Phoenix to just 42 points in the paint — well below their season average — despite Devin Booker’s 28 points and Kevin Durant’s 22.
“Rudy was the difference,” Durant acknowledged postgame. “He changed everything. You couldn’t get an easy look at the rim, and when you did, he was there. That’s hard to overcome.”
The Timberwolves also benefited from improved free-throw shooting, making 22 of 26 attempts (84.6%), compared to Phoenix’s 14 of 18 (77.8%). Minnesota out-rebounded the Suns 52-41 and committed just 10 turnovers, a season-low in the playoffs.
Statistically, the Wolves shot 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc, hitting 15 of 39 three-pointers. Their bench contributed 32 points, outscoring Phoenix’s reserves 32-20.
The victory evened the series at 2-2, setting up a winner-take-all Game 5 at Footprint Center in Phoenix on April 28, 2024, at 8:30 p.m. CT (9:30 p.m. ET, 01:30 UTC April 29). The winner will advance to face the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals.
“We’re not done,” Edwards said. “We believe in each other. We’ve been here before — down, but not out. Now we go take care of business on their floor.”
For the Suns, the loss raised concerns about their ability to close out games against resilient opponents. Phoenix led by as many as 11 points in the third quarter but failed to extend the lead when Minnesota began hitting shots and forcing stops. Booker, who had 9 points in the fourth quarter, acknowledged the Wolves’ adjustments.
“They made us uncomfortable,” Booker said. “They switched everything, made us work for every shot, and crashed the boards. We didn’t respond well enough down the stretch.”
With the series shifting back to Phoenix, both teams face critical decisions. Minnesota will likely welcome Conley back if he’s cleared, potentially shifting Dillingham to a sixth-man role. Phoenix may need to adjust its defensive schemes to better contain Edwards and limit second-chance opportunities.
The winner of Game 5 will earn the right to challenge the Nuggets, who swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round and are resting ahead of the next round.
As the Timberwolves prepare for Game 5, their resilience in overcoming adversity has grow the defining narrative of their playoff run. Losing two guards could have derailed their season. Instead, they adapted, fought, and forced a decider.
“This is what playoffs are about,” Finch said. “Adversity. Response. We showed tonight You can win in multiple ways. Now we go do it again.”
The stage is set. One game. One chance. The Timberwolves are ready.
What’s next: Game 5 of the Western Conference first round between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns will be played on April 28, 2024, at 8:30 p.m. CT at Footprint Center in Phoenix. Follow live updates and analysis on Archysport.com.
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