The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Phoenix Suns, 120-95, at Target Center on Saturday afternoon in Game 1 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series. The Timberwolves lead the series, 1-0.

The Timberwolves (56-26 reg. season, 1-0 postseason) surprisingly came into the series as underdogs, and through one quarter, it appeared the Suns (49-33 reg. season, 0-1 postseason) were indeed prepared to give their hosts yet another tough battle after beating them in all three games of the regular-season series. However, Phoenix's one-point lead after one devolved into a 10-point deficit by halftime. Minnesota then doubled up its advantage during the third quarter, essentially making the final period a formality.

Kevin Durant led the Suns with 31 points, adding seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Devin Booker supplied 18 points, five assists, two rebounds and one steal. Bradley Beal registered 15 points, six assists, two rebounds and three steals. Royce O'Neal furnished 14 points and four rebounds.

Anthony Edwards paced the Timberwolves with 33 points, complementing them with nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. Karl-Anthony Towns registered 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Rudy Gobert generated a 14-point, 16-rebound double-double that included two assists. Naz Reid managed 12 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal.

The two teams reconvene at Target Center for Game 2 on Tuesday night.