The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t just beat the Phoenix Suns — they dismantled them. On Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Anthony Edwards turned the court into his personal highlight reel, dropping 44 points on 22 shots to lead his team to a 116-98 road win. It wasn’t just a performance. It was a statement. And the Suns? They were left looking stunned on their own floor.
From Trailing to Crushing
The Suns came out hot, scoring 34 points in the first quarter — the highest any team had put up in a single frame all night. For a moment, it looked like Phoenix might extend its one-game winning streak. But then came the turnaround. The Timberwolves outscored them 21-17 in the second, then exploded for 34-21 in the third. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the game was already decided. Minnesota closed it out with 33 points, turning a six-point deficit into an 18-point rout. The final margin? 18 points. The message? The Wolves are peaking at the right time.
Edwards Takes Over — Again
Anthony Edwards, the 23-year-old shooting guard, didn’t just score. He dominated. His 44 points came on efficient shooting: 15-of-22 from the field, 6-of-9 from deep, and 8-of-9 from the line. He added seven assists, six rebounds, and three steals. He didn’t just score in bunches — he carved up Phoenix’s defense with drives, step-back threes, and impossible finishes at the rim. "He owns the Suns," wrote Bright Side of the Sun in their post-game recap. "Punked on their home floor." And honestly? That’s the only way to describe it.
He wasn’t alone. Donte DiVincenzo, the 27-year-old guard, hit eight three-pointers — an astonishing 8-of-13 from beyond the arc — for 24 points. That kind of shooting from a supporting player is the kind of thing that turns good teams into dangerous ones. The Suns had no answer. Their defense looked slow, confused, and out of sync.
The Suns’ Struggles in the Spotlight
Even Kevin Durant, the 36-year-old veteran and one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, couldn’t carry them. He finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds — a solid stat line by any measure — but it wasn’t enough. The Suns’ supporting cast went cold. Devin Booker, their other All-Star, managed just 18 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Their bench contributed only 22 points, while Minnesota’s reserves poured in 41. The difference? Depth. Energy. Execution.
Phoenix entered the game with a 9-6 record in the Pacific Division and a one-game win streak. They were fighting to stay in playoff contention. Now? They’re slipping. Their 28-33 record puts them just above .500, and with only 20 games left, every loss hurts. They’re now three games behind the Lakers and just one game ahead of the Clippers — a team they’ll face just two days later.
Timberwolves’ Rise in the West
For Minnesota, this win was about more than just momentum. It was about positioning. With the victory, their record improved to 33-29, and their Western Conference record jumped to 10-5 — good enough for third in the conference, behind only the Thunder and Nuggets. They’re now the hottest team in the Northwest Division, winners of two straight and four of their last five. Their road record? 16-17 — still a work in progress, but growing.
And the timing couldn’t be better. With the playoffs looming, the Wolves are playing with confidence. Edwards is no longer just a rising star — he’s a bona fide MVP candidate. DiVincenzo is finally clicking. And Karl-Anthony Towns? He’s quietly averaging 20.8 points and 9.3 rebounds over the last month. This team is rounding into form.
What’s Next?
Minnesota heads home to the Target Center in Minneapolis on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET to face the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers, sitting at 29-32, are also fighting for a playoff spot — meaning this isn’t just a feel-good game. It’s a must-win.
Phoenix, meanwhile, travels to Los Angeles to take on the Los Angeles Clippers at 10:00 PM ET the same night. A loss here would drop them further behind in the Pacific Division race. With the Clippers having won three of their last four, Phoenix’s path to the playoffs just got narrower.
The Bigger Picture
This game wasn’t just about two teams battling for position. It was about the NBA’s new hierarchy. The Thunder and Nuggets are still the favorites. But teams like the Timberwolves — young, athletic, and hungry — are closing the gap. Edwards isn’t just a player. He’s a symbol of the league’s next generation. And when he goes off like this, it’s a reminder: the old guard isn’t invincible anymore.
The Suns? They still have talent. But they’re stuck in neutral. Their defense is porous. Their bench is thin. And when the best player on the floor is wearing the other team’s jersey? That’s not bad luck. That’s a system problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Anthony Edwards’ 44-point performance rank among his career highs?
Edwards’ 44-point game tied his career-high, set earlier this season against the Dallas Mavericks. It was his third 40+ point game of the 2024-25 season and the sixth of his NBA career. He’s now the youngest Timberwolves player since Kevin Garnett to record multiple 40-point games in a single season.
Why did the Suns collapse after the first quarter?
Phoenix’s defense lost focus after the first quarter, particularly on the perimeter. Minnesota shot 62% from three-point range in the second half, with DiVincenzo and Edwards combining for 14 threes. The Suns also had just four assists in the final three quarters, showing a breakdown in ball movement and offensive rhythm.
What does this loss mean for Phoenix’s playoff chances?
The Suns are now 5.5 games behind the Lakers for second in the Pacific Division and just 1.5 games ahead of the Clippers for the final playoff spot. With only 20 games left, they can’t afford more losses like this — especially at home. Their remaining schedule includes seven games against teams above .500, making every win critical.
Is Anthony Edwards now a legitimate MVP candidate?
Yes. Edwards is averaging 28.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists this season, with a true shooting percentage of 59.3%. He’s now top-5 in scoring among guards and has led the Timberwolves to a 10-5 record in conference play. If Minnesota finishes in the top 4 of the West, his case will be impossible to ignore.
How does this win affect Minnesota’s playoff seeding?
The win pushes Minnesota into third place in the Western Conference, just behind the Thunder and Nuggets. They’re now one game ahead of the Trail Blazers and three ahead of the Jazz. A top-4 seed would mean avoiding the first round against the Lakers or Warriors — a huge advantage given their youth and athleticism.
What’s the significance of Donte DiVincenzo’s shooting performance?
DiVincenzo’s 8-of-13 from three-point range was the best shooting night of his career and tied for the third-most threes by a Timberwolves player in a single game. His ability to space the floor has transformed Minnesota’s offense — now they have three elite shooters (Edwards, DiVincenzo, and Towns) who can all punish defenses that over-help.
