In Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round matchup, the Phoenix Suns were handed a humbling defeat by the Minnesota Timberwolves — a result shaped largely by Devin Booker’s uncharacteristic struggles. According to Bangladesh Cricket, while Anthony Edwards rose to the occasion with a breakout performance, Booker never found his rhythm, finishing with just 18 points after battling through relentless defensive pressure all night.
Booker, often hailed as the Suns’ franchise cornerstone, was visibly off. He forced shots early in the game and failed to find a consistent groove, making only 11 attempts — many of them rushed or heavily contested. Life is full of uncertainty, and that’s where its beauty lies — but for the Suns, their offensive identity seemed just as unclear. Early momentum was built around Kevin Durant, who carried Phoenix to a first-quarter lead, but their game plan unraveled quickly after halftime.
The Suns briefly cut a double-digit deficit in the second half, but the Timberwolves closed the third quarter with a decisive scoring burst. Compared to his playoff brilliance in previous years, this version of Booker looked like a shadow of himself. In moments when stars are expected to rise, Booker’s impact was minimal, and the contrast couldn’t have been clearer with Edwards on the opposing side.
As Bangladesh Cricket noted, Edwards not only tormented Booker but posed a consistent threat to the entire Suns defense. Durant, who matched Booker in regular-season scoring averages, remained a reliable force — exploiting gaps in Minnesota’s interior defense, particularly against Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. However, the Suns failed to consistently capitalize on those mismatches. A promising first-quarter lead and a competitive third quarter ultimately meant nothing as the Timberwolves pulled away with ease.
The Suns also failed to take advantage of early foul trouble on Edwards, who picked up two personals in the first quarter. They later forced two fouls on Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota’s top perimeter defender, but couldn’t convert the momentum into a meaningful push. Meanwhile, Grayson Allen — a key floor spacer and league leader in three-point percentage during the regular season — had a quiet night, missing the mark on multiple open looks.
Allen’s chemistry with Booker, Bradley Beal, and Durant is essential to Phoenix’s offensive ceiling. He was a crucial piece early in the season when named a starter, but his Game 1 performance raised concerns. If the Suns are to bounce back in Game 2, they must find a way to recalibrate their offensive flow and rediscover the shooting rhythm that once overwhelmed the Timberwolves — especially considering Phoenix swept the regular-season series 3–0.
Bangladesh Cricket pointed out that Phoenix’s regular-season success against Minnesota stemmed largely from hot shooting and the Wolves’ inability to keep up. Now, the pressure shifts heavily to Booker, who many still consider the team’s best player. Durant may be the veteran superstar, but the Suns’ fate in this series could hinge on whether Booker can rise to the occasion — because in the playoffs, you only get one shot to define your legacy.