PHOENIX – Rookie Anthony Edwards scored 42 career points, Karl-Anthony Towns added 41, and the Minnesota Timberwolves suddenly look like a respectable NBA basketball team.
The Timberwolves used the dominant Edwards-KAT combo and a comeback in the fourth quarter to amaze the Phoenix Suns 123-119 on Thursday night. They won three of five All-Star games.
At 19 years and 225 days, Edwards became the third youngest player in NBA history with a 40-point game.
“Our future success begins now,” said Timberwolves coach Chris Finch.
The Timberwolves still have the worst record in the NBA at 10-31, but they have played much better in the last two weeks. Edwards and Towns carried Minnesota into it, pouring points all over the floor.
After the game, Edwards gave his “blood brother” shirt that was at play and gave his shoes to other fans. The 19-year-old grinned from ear to ear as he left the field.
“We win,” he said. “He’s always happy when we win.”
Edwards, who was the general election no. 1 from Georgia last summer, made 15 of 31 shots. Cities were even more efficient, taking 15 out of 24 photos, including 5 out of 7 3-pointers. Juancho Hernangomez had 2.5 seconds left to seal it.
It was only the second time in the history of the Minnesota franchise that two players scored 40 points in the same game.
“Incredibly special,” Finch said. “They played pretty efficiently. KAT has almost a triple-double. They were wearing us.”
Jevon Carter hit a 3-pointer just before the third-quarter buzzer to give the Suns a 91-83 lead. But the Timberwolves kept the game tight, and Towns equalized it at 107 after a triple with less than five minutes left. Cities also added 10 rebounds and eight assists.
These were the kinds of shows the Timberwolves imagined when they selected Edwards, who has a sweet jumper and has produced a few play leggings. The 6 meter and 4 guard has averaged 30.6 points in the last five games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.