The Phoenix Suns pulled off a heart-stopping 114-113 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 21, 2025, in a nail-biting Emirates NBA Cup matchup at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. With under 10 seconds left and the score tied at 113, Dillon Brooks buried a step-back three-pointer from the right wing — his fourth of the night — to send the home crowd into pandemonium. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t clean. But it was basketball at its most human: raw, clutch, and unforgettable.
A Game of Inches and Intensity
The game was a defensive slugfest for the first 30 minutes, with both teams trading baskets like boxers exchanging jabs. The Phoenix Suns leaned on their perimeter shooting, while the Minnesota Timberwolves relied on the unstoppable force of Anthony Edwards, who dropped 41 points on 15-of-27 shooting, including a jaw-dropping 7-of-11 from deep. He didn’t just score — he carried his team. At one point, he scored 11 straight points for Minnesota in under three minutes, silencing a raucous Phoenix crowd that had been chanting "M-V-P!" since the second quarter.
But the Suns’ depth and poise in crunch time made the difference. Collin Gillespie, the 26-year-old point guard who was largely overlooked in free agency last summer, delivered a career-defining performance: 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. His late-game decision-making — particularly a no-look pass to Kevin Durant for a layup with 1:12 left — turned the tide. Durant, who finished with 24 points, didn’t need to be the hero. He just needed to be there.
Why This Game Matters
This wasn’t just another regular-season game. It was a statement in the Emirates NBA Cup, the NBA’s new in-season tournament designed to inject fresh stakes into November and December. Both teams entered 9-6. Now, after this win, the Suns sit at 10-6, tied with Minnesota for the top spot in the Western Conference’s Cup group. But Phoenix holds the tiebreaker — and more importantly, momentum.
The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are still searching for consistency. Edwards is a superstar in the making, but the team’s supporting cast — particularly their bench — struggled to keep pace. Karl-Anthony Towns, their All-Star center, finished with just 12 points and four turnovers. The absence of starting guard Mike Conley (out with a hamstring strain) was felt in the closing minutes, when Minnesota’s offense stalled under pressure.
What’s Next? The December 8 Showdown
The next chapter comes on December 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM local time, when the Timberwolves host the Suns at Target Center in Minneapolis. That game could decide home-court advantage in the Cup semifinals. And with both teams now 10-6, it’s essentially a playoff preview.
For Phoenix, the focus shifts to maintaining their defensive discipline. They’ve allowed just 108.4 points per game since the Cup began — the third-best mark in the league. For Minnesota, the question is simpler: Can they find a second scorer to take some of the load off Edwards? He’s averaging 32.7 points in the last five games. That’s historic. But no one wins a championship carrying that kind of burden alone.
The Venue, The Vibe, The Moment
The Mortgage Matchup Center — formerly known as PHX Arena — was electric. Fans stood for the final four minutes. The scoreboard clock ticked down in silence. When Brooks’ shot swished through, the arena erupted like it had just won a championship. For a moment, the noise drowned out everything else — the corporate sponsorship names, the TV contracts, the playoff math. It was just basketball. Real basketball.
Full highlights are available on the NBA’s official YouTube channel under "EMIRATES NBA CUP | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS," a 17-minute condensed version that captures every key play — including the final sequence, replayed five times in slow motion. The game’s final play has already gone viral, with TikTok edits hitting 8 million views in 48 hours.
Behind the Numbers
- Phoenix Suns: 114 points, 47% FG, 14-of-34 from three (41.2%)
- Minnesota Timberwolves: 113 points, 45% FG, 13-of-32 from three (40.6%)
- Turnovers: Suns 11, Timberwolves 15
- Key Stat: Phoenix outscored Minnesota 28-18 in the final 8 minutes
- Attendance: 17,582 — a sellout at the Mortgage Matchup Center
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Dillon Brooks’ game-winning shot compare to his usual performance?
Brooks entered the game averaging 14.3 points per game this season — solid, but not elite. His 22-point night, including four three-pointers, was his highest-scoring game since January 2024. The game-winner was only his second buzzer-beater in his six-year NBA career. This performance marked a turning point in his role as a clutch shooter for the Suns, especially with Kevin Durant often drawing double teams.
Why is the Emirates NBA Cup so important this season?
The Emirates NBA Cup, introduced in 2023, gives teams a chance to earn bonus playoff seeding points and a $1 million prize pool. More than that, it revitalizes midseason games that once felt like filler. This season, 10 of the 30 teams have won at least one Cup game by three points or fewer — proving it’s adding real drama. The Suns’ win here puts them in direct contention for the Cup finals, which are scheduled for December 18 in Las Vegas.
What’s the significance of the Mortgage Matchup Center’s name change?
The arena, formerly PHX Arena, was renamed in 2024 after a $120 million naming rights deal with Mortgage Matchup, a fintech startup. While controversial among longtime fans, the rebrand has brought modernized seating, improved Wi-Fi, and a new digital scoreboard. It’s now one of the most tech-integrated venues in the NBA, with fan apps syncing to real-time stats during games. The name may be corporate, but the energy? Pure basketball.
Is Anthony Edwards’ 41-point performance enough to carry the Timberwolves deep into the playoffs?
Not alone. Edwards is having a breakout season — averaging 28.9 points — but Minnesota’s defense ranks 22nd in the league. Their bench scores just 24.1 points per game, the lowest in the Western Conference. If Towns doesn’t return to form and the guards don’t step up, Edwards might be forced to carry them to the second round — and that’s a recipe for burnout. He’s the engine, but the car needs more parts.
What’s the likelihood of a Suns-Timberwolves playoff meeting this year?
High. Both teams are in the top six of the Western Conference standings. If the current trend holds, they could meet in the first or second round. Their head-to-head record this season is tied 1-1, with the next matchup on December 8 potentially deciding seeding. A playoff series between these two would be explosive — fast-paced, high-scoring, and defined by Edwards vs. Durant’s star power.
Where can fans watch full game replays legally?
The official NBA YouTube channel offers the full 17-minute highlight reel for free. For full-game replays, fans can access them via NBA League Pass, the NBA’s official streaming service, or through the NBA App, which includes live game alerts, stats, and behind-the-scenes footage. Local broadcasts on Bally Sports Arizona and KARE 11 (Minneapolis) also include extended post-game analysis.
