Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves dominated the Phoenix Suns en route to earning their first 4-0 sweep in franchise history. What did fans enjoy most? And how confident are they in the Timberwolves’ title chances?
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Minnesota Timberwolves fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Well, well, well.
Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and the Minnesota Timberwolves proved just about everyone wrong in the opening round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs, sweeping the Phoenix Suns and their All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
The Wolves dominated the series from start to finish, headlined by their wire-to-wire victory in a pivotal Game 3 that featured Suns fans booing their team off the Footprint Center floor at the end of the third quarter, with Minnesota leading 95-73.
“I’ve never been swept in my life, so I’ll be damned if that happens,” Beal said after Game 3, which the Wolves won 126-109. He made good on that statement in hilarious fashion when he arrived for his exit interview the day after Minnesota closed it out 122-116 in Game 4.
Bradley Beal sits down and says “I’ll be damned, man.” pic.twitter.com/4KIn1OshNV
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) April 29, 2024
The sweep was a euphoric moment for a fanbase that has endured a 20-year drought of playoff success that no group should ever experience. And now, Wolves faithful have their next surefire megastar in Edwards, who has completely transformed the public opinion of their Timberwolves.
National media members, in the wake of the Minnesota’s resounding victory, have showered the Wolves — and especially Edwards — with praise that fans have been clamoring for throughout the season. People are now recognizing what Gobert, Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have done defensively all season leading a generational defense, and the ways in which Towns can be a damn good Robin to Edwards’ Batman.
Minnesota did an excellent job shutting down Phoenix’s stars, but very quietly turned in the league’s best first-round offensive rating (123.2) of any team in the playoffs thus far — an improvement from their season-long mark of 114.6, which ranked 17th in the NBA. That development, driven by Edwards’ incredible growth as a playmaker against a Phoenix defense intent upon slowing him down, has dramatically changed what Timberwolves fans believe their team is capable of moving forward.
So, on that note, we’re asking three questions for this week’s survey. Tap in below to cast your vote!
1) What was your favorite part of the Wolves’ sweep over the Suns?
- Anthony Edwards’ rise, finally getting the recognition he deserves
- Revival of “They got KD, but we got Jaden McDaniels” clip
- Karl-Anthony Towns winning a playoff series
- Wolves proving everybody wrong
2) What is your prediction for the Western Conference Semifinals?
- Wolves in 4/5
- Wolves in 6/7
- Nuggets in 4/5
- Nuggets in 6/7
3) After the sweep of the Suns, what is your confidence level in the Wolves’ ability to win the NBA Finals?
- 0-3
- 4-6
- 7-8
- 9-10