MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves won for the first time in 2016, beating the Phoenix Suns 117-87 at Target Center on Sunday afternoon.
Guard Andrew Wiggins had 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting as Minnesota snapped a nine-game losing streak and won for the first time since a 94-80 win over the Utah Jazz on Dec. 30. The 30-point margin of victory was the largest for the Wolves this season. The win also ended a six-game losing streak against the Suns.
Guard Brandon Knight led the Suns with 20 points as Phoenix lost its fourth consecutive game and 13th in its last 14 games. The Suns dropped to 2-13 on the road against Western Conference opponents this season.
Phoenix led by four early, taking an 8-4 lead on a dunk by center Tyson Chandler almost three minutes in.
But Minnesota scored the next seven, taking the lead on a 19-foot jumper by Wiggins.
The Timberwolves never trailed again.
Wiggins scored 12 points in the first quarter as the Wolves led by one, and he scored 16 in the first half as Minnesota carried a 58-48 lead into the locker room.
A long 3-pointer by rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns pushed the Wolves’ lead to 67-53 four minutes into the third quarter before the Suns made their final push. Forward Markieff Morris finished a 3-point play and guard Devin Booker drove to the hoop for a dunk as Phoenix narrowed its deficit to nine points.
But Minnesota outscored the Suns 16-11 to close out the quarter, then started the fourth on an 11-4 run to open up a 21-point lead. The Timberwolves led by as many as 34 in the final quarter, outscoring Phoenix 34-14 in the final 12 minutes.
Seven players scored in double figures for Minnesota, including point guard Ricky Rubio, who finished with 18 points and four assists. Towns had 14 points and grabbed eight boards.
Morris had 17 points and Booker had 11 for the Suns.
NOTES: Suns G Ronnie Price missed his fourth consecutive game with a foot injury. Price underwent surgery on his toe on Friday and is expected to miss the next three weeks. … Timberwolves G Kevin Martin was available after missing one game because of illness. … Timberwolves G Tyus Jones and F Damjan Rudez were inactive. … Phoenix begins a two-game homestand against the Indiana Pacers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Tuesday. … Minnesota opens a two-game road trip against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday.