Tyus Jones scored a game-high 29 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Phoenix Suns 93-83 Sunday to advance to the championship of the Las Vegas Summer League.
After trailing by double digits in the first half, the Timberwolves fought back after halftime. A 17-3 run spanning between the third and fourth quarters was the difference, as Minnesota turned a four-point deficit into a 10-point win. The Timberwolves dominated down low, scoring 56 paint points while holding the Suns to just 22. In addition, the Wolves shot 46.2 percent from the field and held the Suns to just 35.7 percent.
In addition to his 29 points, Jones grabbed three rebounds and handed out six assists. Adreian Payne dominated down low, putting up 18 points and 10 rebounds in the win. The Timberwolves only rolled a three-man bench in the contest, but Toure’ Murry, Coty Clarke and Jarrid Famous delivered some extremely productive minutes, combining for 23 points, 18 rebounds, eight assists and three steals.
The Suns reached the semifinals thanks to the late-game heroics of Tyler Ulis on Saturday night, but the rookie point guard had a game to forget Sunday. He finished with only 11 points, thanks to a woeful 5-for-21 shooting performance. With Ulis having an off day, Troy Williams stepped up to score 24 points, including a 14-for-15 mark at the free-throw line. Askia Booker also stepped up his efforts, dropping 19 points off the bench.
The Suns finish their summer league campaign at 4-2, while the Timberwolves will face the winner of the Chicago-Cleveland matchup in the finals Monday night.
