PHOENIX (AP) — Cam Johnson scored 29 points, making seven 3-pointers, and the Phoenix Suns beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-107 on Tuesday night for their fifth straight victory.
Johnson finished 7 of 11 behind the arc and 10 for 17 overall for the Suns, who were playing without center Deandre Ayton because of a sprained left ankle. Mikal Bridges had 19 points for Phoenix (6-1) and Devin Booker scored 16, though Booker was just 2 of 7 from 3-point range.
Chris Paul had 14 points, 12 assists and a team-high eight rebounds for the Suns, who led by as many as 18 points, though Minnesota got as close as 87-85 in the fourth quarter.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 24 points apiece. Towns had 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Edwards made five 3-pointers in 10 attempts.
Despite the absence of Ayton, the Suns held their own on the boards against the taller Timberwolves, with Minnesota outrebounding Phoenix 42-34. The Wolves entered the night third in the NBA in rebounding with 49 per game.
Rudy Gobert had nine rebounds for Minnesota and scored seven points, all from the free throw line. He took just one shot from the field in 32 minutes.
TIMBERWOLVES ADJUSTMENTS
Minnesota coach Chris Finch says his team is still getting used to the presence Gobert brings on defense.
“We’re trying to fight our way through a lot of clunky situations,” Finch said before the game. “Our guys are just kind of leaning into it and rolling with it.
”(We’re) Learning some habits, still maybe helping too many times when we shouldn’t particularly when Rudy’s out there. We aren’t very good in transition, but if we can get those things right, we can be even a tougher defense.”
WAINRIGHT UPDATE
Suns guard Ish Wainright’s father died Monday. Calvin Wainright, who was 68, was a longtime basketball coach and mentor in Kansas City. Ish Wainright has been out with a back injury since the beginning of the season, and away from the team in recent days.
“They all were taken aback by it, they have supported him the way they always do,” coach Monty Williams said of his players hearing the news.
NASH OUT
Williams said he felt bad for Suns great Steve Nash, who is no longer the coach of the Brooklyn Nets after a tumultuous tenure.
“It’s always tough. We all kind of know how hard these jobs can be,” Williams said. “I haven’t seen anybody have to deal with more than him in recent years as far as non-basketball stuff. It’s tough to watch from afar.”
TIP-INS
Timberwolves: G Jordan McLaughlin (right heel) played after missing two games.
Suns: F Torrey Craig returned from a left heel injury for Phoenix. Dario Saric played his second game of the season. He missed the entire 2021-22 season after tearing his ACL in the 2021 NBA Finals.
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: Home vs. Milwaukee on Friday.
Suns: Host Portland Friday.
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