The Phoenix Suns defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 124-111 Monday night. The Pelicans' loss allowed Minnesota to clinch a playoff spot in the West.
WE’RE IN. 🐺 pic.twitter.com/63pWGxc6JP
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 2, 2024
Minnesota has not advanced past the opening round since 2004 when Kevin Garnett led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals. Minnesota is led by their star guard, Anthony Edwards, who averages 26.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game to grant Minnesota the No. 3 seed in the West. If the No. 3 seed holds, the Timberwolves will take on the No. 6 seed, currently held by the Pelicans, who are only one game ahead of the Suns, who are fighting for a guaranteed spot in the playoffs rather than a playoff bid.
While Minnesota has clinched a spot in the West, the remaining games will determine the seeding for the playoffs. Minnesota held the No. 1 seed before losing to the Chicago Bulls Sunday night, causing them to drop to No. 3. The Timberwolves are one full game back from the No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder and 0.5 games back from the No. 2 Denver Nuggets. If Minnesota wins out, it is possible to reclaim the No. 1 or No. 2 seeds before the regular season ends on April 14.
