Timberwolves stumble against Suns as 5-game winning streak ends

Chris Hine, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Dec 8, 2025

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MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves have saved themselves from some disappointing losses of late thanks to strong fourth quarters. They had to attempt another fourth-quarter comeback Monday night from down 11, this time with Rudy Gobert out because of an ejection for a flagrant foul.

But the Wolves couldn’t get enough consistency at both ends of the floor in a 108-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns at Target Center. The loss ended a five-game win streak.

Anthony Edwards had a big scoring night (40 points). Some of his teammates weren’t as proficient. Jaden McDaniels, Donte DiVincenzo, Naz Reid and Mike Conley combined to shoot 4 for 31. Mark Williams had 22 for the Suns, who played without an injured Devin Booker.

Gobert ejected, close to suspension

Gobert was ejected at the 7:59 mark of the third quarter after he committed a flagrant-2 foul on Williams, who had committed a flagrant foul on him earlier in the quarter. This marked four flagrant fouls on the season for Gobert, totaling five flagrant foul points (he receives two points for the flagrant-2).

One more flagrant-1 foul and Gobert will receive a one-game suspension. If he commits another flagrant-2 foul, he will receive a two-game suspension. Official Tyler Ford said after reviewing the play Gobert had made “significant” contact to Williams’ ribs as he was in the air.

Slow start again

As has been a problem recently, the Wolves again got off to a slow start. They allowed Phoenix to grab five offensive rebounds in the first quarter, although the Suns converted those into just four second-chance points. The Wolves trailed the entire quarter and were down as many as nine before entering the second behind 29-23. Edwards came out aggressive and had 12 points on 5 for 7, but the Wolves were 4 for 13 outside of him, and 0 for 6 from 3-point range.

Hyland back in rotation, Dillingham out

Coach Chris Finch made an adjustment to his rotation by re-inserting Bones Hyland in the second quarter while keeping Rob Dillingham on the bench. Hyland hadn’t played in any game, garbage time or otherwise, since Nov. 19. He had six points in his first stint as the Wolves got only nine bench points in the first half. They trailed 61-57 at the break. Hyland finished the night with 14 points after playing again in the fourth quarter. He also closed the game.

Illness almost costs 2

This is the time of the season when viruses and colds can start running through NBA teams, and the Wolves had two players land on the injury report because of illnesses: Edwards and Terrence Shannon Jr. Both entered the night questionable after missing shootaround because they were sick, but both ended up available to play.

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