Game Preview: Phoenix Suns look to leapfrog Wolves for seventh seed in Western Conference

The Suns are on a hot streak. Can they keep the streak alive with a big win over the Wolves tonight?

Who: Phoenix Suns (24-21) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (25-21)

When: 7:00 pm Arizona Time

Where: Footprint Center — Phoenix, Arizona

Watch: AZFamily, Suns Live

Listen: KMVP 98.7

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The Phoenix Suns are set to make up ground tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the standings, and with a win, they can leapfrog the Wolves into the seventh seed in the Western Conference. It’s a feat that seemed almost impossible a few weeks ago, but with the Suns trending in the right direction after winning 8 of their last 10 games, momentum is starting to build.

Even with the trade deadline looming and Jimmy Butler rumors swirling around the Suns, their focus on the court has remained intact. Not quite perfect, but just enough to pull out victories. And that’s what matters: continuing to climb the standings until the team has settled on a roster to finish out the remainder of the season.

Probable Starters

Injury Report

Suns

• Ryan Dunn — Ankle (OUT)
• Kevin Durant — QUESTIONABLE (Left Thumb Injury)

Wolves

• Nickeil Alexander-Walker — Lower Leg Contusion (DAY-TO-DAY)
• Jesse Edwards — (OUT)
• Donte DiVincezo — Turf Toe (OUT)
• Terrence Shannon Jr.— Foot Sprain (OUT)

Uniform Matchup

What to Watch For

The Wolves are bringing their elite defense to Phoenix, and the last time they visited, it marked the Suns’ bitter end. Getting swept in the first round of last season’s playoffs. I remember waking up the next day thinking, What just happened?

Tonight, the Suns have a chance to exorcise some demons, but it won’t come easy.

If they can replicate their explosive start from Monday night’s win over the Clippers, they might have a shot at cracking the Wolves’ stingy defense, which holds opponents to a league-best 107 points per game.

Tyus Jones set the tone early in that game, but this time, the Suns need first-quarter Devin Booker to come out firing.

As the game progresses, the Suns might need to rely on Jusuf Nurkic to counter the Wolves’ size and dominance in the paint. The Wolves made a statement in their last game, scoring a staggering 72 points in the paint against the Denver Nuggets, a stat that’s downright haunting for the Suns as they head into tonight’s matchup.

Will Nurkic see extended minutes to give the Suns a fighting chance? They’ll certainly need his presence, especially if their new starting center, Nick Richards, finds himself in foul trouble. The Suns might also have to lean heavily on their size at both the power forward and center positions to keep the Wolves from owning the interior.

The vibes from Nurkic aren’t great, but anything for a win, right?

Prediction

I’m feeling a Suns win tonight too! Even with Kevin Durant listed as questionable due to a left thumb injury, the outcome feels optimistic. If he plays, the Suns win. If he doesn’t…the Suns still win!