PHOENIX SUNS

Suns’ 1st-round playoff opponent down to 3 teams after Timberwolves secure 7-seed

Apr 12, 2022, 9:31 PM | Updated: Apr 13, 2022, 11:59 am

The Phoenix Suns are down to three possible matchups in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs after the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 109-104 in Tuesday night’s play-in game.

With the win, Minnesota secures the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference and will face the No. 2 seed Memphis Grizzles in the first round.

As for the Suns, it means they won’t be seeing the T-Wolves come Sunday night when they start their playoffs.

Instead, Phoenix will host one of three teams: the Clippers, the New Orleans Pelicans, or the San Antonio Spurs.

The No. 9 seed Pelicans and No. 10 seed Spurs face off Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. in a loser leaves town match.

The winner of that will get the Clippers on Friday night, where the winner will then become the No. 8 seed to face the West’s best, the Suns.

Minnesota was led by the backcourt of D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards, who combined for 59 points. Russell scored 28 of his 29 points in the second half.

While the Suns still await their opponent, tipoff for Game 1 of their first round series was announced for 6:30 p.m. on Sunday night from Footprint Center.

Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns reacts on the bench during the first half of the NBA game at F...
Austin Scott

By the numbers: How injuries have hurt the Suns’ consistency

The Suns have been dealing with injuries all season long. Here are a few numbers that show the impact injuries have had on the season.
15 hours ago
Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns signs autographs before the game against the Chicago Bulls at ...
Arizona Sports

Report: Suns’ Kevin Durant progressing toward return vs. Timberwolves

Suns star Kevin Durant is progressing toward a Wednesday return against the Timberwolves after missing time due to a sprained ankle.
15 hours ago
Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams yells at officials during the second half of the team's NBA baske...
Arizona Sports

Suns coach Monty Williams fined for criticism of NBA officials

The NBA fined Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams $20,000 for criticizing the referees in a Tuesday loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
15 hours ago
General manager James Jones of the Phoenix Suns looks on after the game against the Miami Heat at F...
Tyler Drake

Jones: Suns need to ‘control what they can control’ with fouling

Worrying over what transpired in previous games does the Phoenix Suns no favors as it jostles for playoff position.
15 hours ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on March 22, 2023 in Los...
Dan Bickley

Suns crying foul hints at problems between their ears

The Suns have been tagged as a flopping, foul-hunting, fall-down-after-every-shot kind of team. You don’t think that comes with consequences?
2 days ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns takes a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half ...
Kellan Olson

Suns let another winnable game slip away, lose to Lakers

The Phoenix Suns keep letting winnable games slip away in uncharacteristic ways and have now lost five of their last six.
2 days ago
Suns’ 1st-round playoff opponent down to 3 teams after Timberwolves secure 7-seed