Julius Randle drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 120-117 win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.
Randle caught an inbound pass, dribbled twice and pulled up for a game-winning shot at the top of the arc. Teammates mobbed him on the court after the basket, which gave Minnesota its second straight victory.
The loss spoiled a 44-point performance from Devin Booker, who shot 15 of 29 from the field and 6 of 13 from beyond the arc for the Suns. Grayson Allen added 18 points off the bench, and Tyus Jones had 13 points and 11 assists.
Randle, who also hit a buzzer-beater at the end of the first half, finished with 35 points on 11-for-20 shooting and 5 of 11 from behind the arc. Anthony Edwards scored 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting, and Donte DiVincenzo scored 15 points off the bench while making 5 of 10 3-point attempts.
The Timberwolves closed the game on a 13-3 run to seize the win.
Phoenix wanted a foul call on the final play but did not get one. After Randle caught the inbound pass from Joe Ingles and dribbled toward the basket, he used his off arm to fend off Suns defender Josh Okogie.
Okogie flew backward in an apparent attempt to draw a call. The sequence allowed plenty of space for Randle to square his feet and make the shot.
The Suns led by as many as 16 points in the second quarter. Allen made two free throws to put Phoenix on top 38-22 with 10:32 to go in the half.
Phoenix led by 13 in the final minute of the first half before Randle hit an off-balance, buzzer-beating 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 64-54.
The Suns stayed on top for most of the second half, holding a 114-107 lead with 3:40 to go.
The Timberwolves answered with an 8-0 run thanks to a free throw by Randle, a 3-pointer by Edwards, a dunk by Jaden McDaniels and another basket by Edwards. That gave Minnesota a 115-114 edge with 1:09 to play.
Allen made a 3-pointer to give the Suns a 117-115 lead with 56 seconds left.
Edwards made two free throws on the next possession to tie the score and set the stage for Randle’s heroics.
–Field Level Media
