Edwards and Timberwolves rebound to defeat the Suns with a shorthanded win

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 31 points, D’Angelo Russell had 7 and the Minnesota Timberwolves held off the short-handed Phoenix Suns 121-116 on Friday night.

Taurean prince added 16 points to the bench while Naz red, a reserve, scored 13 points for Minnesota. The Timberwolves won their fourth consecutive game and rebounded from Wednesday’s 135-118 defeat in Detroit.

Phoenix’s Damion Lee scored 31 points, while Mikal Bridges scored 24. The Suns were without Devin Booker (and Chris Paul) and Cameron Johnson (backcourt backups Cameron Payne & Landry Shamet).

Deandre Ayton returned after missing two games with a left ankle sprain and had 11 points and 11 rebounds, but the big center struggled against Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert. Ayton only shot 5 of 18 from the floor.

Since November’s 15-6 record, the Suns have won just 6-17 games, which is the third-fewest in the NBA. Booker, their most prolific scorer, is no longer with them.

Edwards scored seven points in the Timberwolves’ 12-0 run that gave them a 21-9 lead. Minnesota never trailed and took the lead to 24 against a Phoenix team that had defeated the Wolves six times in a row.

Between two disappointing losses to the Pistons (last place in the East) and four wins by Minnesota, Minnesota has won four consecutive games.

Phoenix was within six minutes of the end, but Edwards saved Minnesota from a late run.

TIP-INS

Suns: Booker, who has missed 17 games with a left-groin strain, was unable to play in the last game and missed four. This stretch has seen the team go 4-14. … Paul has missed the last four games with right hip soreness. Payne (right-foot sprain), has missed five of the last five games, while Shamet (right knee soreness), has missed three consecutive games. … Johnson, who’s been out since Nov. 4 after knee surgery to repair a meniscus tear, warmed up before the game. … Phoenix had 19 turnovers leading to 17 points.

Timberwolves: Gobert missed one shot but finished with four points, 12 rebounds and a game-high twelve assists. Minnesota had 15 turnovers that resulted in 25 points. … The Wolves scored 64 points in the paint.

NEXT

Suns: End a four-game trip to Memphis Monday.

Timberwolves: Cleveland hosts Timberwolves on Saturday night.

___

More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports