Undermanned Suns snaps Minnesota’s five-game win streak

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The banged-up Phoenix Suns pulled off a statement win after ending the Minnesota Timberwolves’ five-game winning streak, 108-105, in the ongoing NBA regular season on Dec. 9, 2025.

Without the services of top guns Devin Booker and Jalen Green due to injuries, the Suns leaned on a balanced two-way effort, led by center Mark Williams, who scored his second-best offensive performance wearing the Phoenix uniform.

The steady frontcourt presence dropped 22 points, built on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting from the field, along with seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

During the nip-and-tuck second-half affair, when the Timberwolves came back from an 11-point deficit, Williams provided the counter hits at the post and kept Phoenix in control.

Williams also came up big manning the paint in the fourth, shading Minnesota’s drives with his imposing length that helped Phoenix garner some much-needed defensive stops down the most crucial stretch.

Aside from Williams, the one-two punch of Collin Gillespie and Dillon Brooks also delivered when the Suns needed them the most.

Brooks kicked off Phoenix’s first-quarter outing waxing hot, scoring eight quick points highlighted by isolation fadeaway shots against the tough defense of Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.

When the enforcer cooled down midway through the second frame, Gillespie picked up where he left off and led a daunting Phoenix attack in the fourth that spoiled Minnesota’s come-from-behind attempt.

It was a game of runs from the get-go, as Phoenix was able to dictate the tempo with an early 11-point advantage, only to be trimmed by the Timberwolves in the third frame.

The final period was a physical and grueling affair, with both teams combining for 45 points, their lowest joint offensive quarter of the game.

Down three with only 14 seconds left in the game, Edwards gave the Minnesota fans life when he drove for a deuce to help the Timberwolves pull within a point, 106-105.

However, Gillespie cashed in all of his shots from the charity stripe after getting fouled on the other end, making it difficult for Minnesota to cruise past the pressure of draining the game-tying three off a timeout.

The Timberwolves had a chance to force overtime after Joe Ingles pitched a pocket pass to Jaden McDaniels in the right corner, but his trey attempt fell short at the end of the buzzer.

Gillespie backstopped Williams with 19 points derived from three treys, alongside six rebounds and four assists, while Brooks chipped in 18 markers.

On the other hand, Minnesota received another 40-point outing from Edwards, but his superb scoring masterclass couldn’t sustain the Timberwolves from breaking the all-out attack of the Suns.