Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns
Date: March 28th, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM CDT
Location: Target Center
Television Coverage: NBA TV/FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM/Wolves App/iHeart Radio
Wolves vs. Suns: Time to Wake Up, Show Up, and Buckle Up
If you’re a Timberwolves fan, here’s the good news: The team’s lost three of four, is clinging to the 8-seed, and just watched Obi Toppin play the best game of his life against them. Wait, that’s the good news? Well, yeah—because it means this team has no choice but to snap out of its “we’re sleepwalking through late March” phase and get back to what made them terrifying during that eight-game win streak. The playoffs are basically here. No more snooze button.
Enter: Phoenix.
Target Center. National spotlight. A battle of two teams who keep glancing at the standings like they just got hit with a surprise credit card bill. The Wolves have beaten the Suns seven straight times, including a playoff sweep, and have basically treated Phoenix like a chew toy since last April. But if you think Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are just going to roll over and let it become eight? You probably also thought True Detective Season 4 was going to be good the whole way through.
Let’s rewind. The Wolves just the past ten days proving that yes, you can have one of the most talented rosters in the league and still lose to half-rosters and teams begging for lottery balls. They lost to the depleted Pacers, the tanking Pelicans, and nearly let an injured Magic team with jet lag sneak one out too. The reason? A total disappearance of defensive urgency, ball movement, and, frankly, pride. The Wolves looked like the cool kid who didn’t study and bombed the final—too much coasting, too little focus.
But here’s the opportunity. The Suns are reeling after getting smoked by Boston. Bradley Beal is out. Phoenix is fighting for its playoff life and struggling to cling to the 10-seed like it’s the floating door in Titanic. This is their last stand. And the Wolves? They should be foaming at the mouth. They’ve had three days to rest, stew, and stare at the standings like they’re reading the terms and conditions on a Vegas timeshare. Tonight, it’s time to make a statement.
Key #1: Defense, defense, and more defense.
The Wolves’ identity this season—when they’re right—has been defense. When they’re swarming, communicating, and rotating, they look like a team that could steal a series from anyone. When they’re not? They give up 120 to lineups that would struggle in the G League. The Wolves need to throw the kitchen sink at Booker and Durant—McDaniels, NAW, Jaylen Clark if it comes to it. Don’t let Durant get into his rhythm. Don’t let Booker heat up. Force Phoenix’s third options to beat you. (Spoiler: They usually can’t.)
Key #2: Use the size advantage.
The Suns are small. Gobert, Randle, and Naz Reid should own the paint. Rudy should be cleaning up like a Roomba. Randle needs to go full bully-ball mode. And if Finch remembers how effective McDaniels is in the dunker spot, we may actually get some easy buckets again. Remember those?
Key #3: Ball movement = good. Hero ball = not good.
The Wolves’ offense during the win streak? Gorgeous. Swing passes, quick reads, open threes, paint touches—basketball. The offense during the recent losses? A group chat without replies. Too much standing. Too much “my turn, your turn.” Edwards and Randle isolating into contested threes while four other guys watch like it’s karaoke night. That has to stop. Let Conley orchestrate. Let the offense breathe.
Key #4: Hit your shots, for the love of Kevin Harlan.
It’s been ice cold in Minnesota lately, and I’m not talking about the weather. The Wolves are clanking threes like it’s part of the strategy. Ant has gone 1-for-11 twice from deep in the games against Indiana. Julius is launching step-backs that would make Russell Westbrook blush. The Wolves need quality looks—and more importantly, they need someone to hit them. Naz. DiVincenzo. NAW. One of you, please get hot. Preferably more than one.
And finally, Ant and Julius need to outplay Booker and KD.
That’s what it comes down to. Star power. If Ant and Julius don’t show up, it’s curtains. If they do—if Ant plays smart, attacks the rim, draws fouls, kicks out to shooters, and avoids the “I got this” heat checks that suck the life out of an offense—Minnesota can hang with anyone. Julius has to be efficient, physical, and unselfish. When he plays within himself, he’s a weapon. When he doesn’t… let’s just say the ball ends up in Row 7 more than you’d like.
The Wolves have had three days to regroup. The Suns are wounded but dangerous. This game matters. A win tonight, followed by a W against Detroit, and suddenly you’re back in the mix. Memphis and the Lakers are stumbling. The Clippers and Warriors are vulnerable. The table is still set. But you have to sit down, grab a fork, and stop dropping food in your lap.
Seven straight against Phoenix. You’ve owned this team. Now go do it again. And this time, make it count.
