Wolves sweep Suns out of NBA playoffs

WASHINGTON: The Minnesota Timberwolves, powered by 40 points from Anthony Edwards, swept Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns out of the NBA playoffs on Sunday (Monday in Manila), reaching the second round for the first time in 20 years with a 122-116 Game 4 victory.

The Timberwolves withstood a combined 72 points from Devin Booker and Durant to become the first team to reach the second round.

They will face either the Denver Nuggets or Los Angeles Lakers, with the reigning champion Nuggets leading that series 3-1.

With a chance to reach the second round for just the second time in franchise history, 22-year-old Edwards shook off a slow start that saw him score nine points in the first half.

“I knew what was at stake,” Edwards told broadcaster TNT.

“I came out, like, man, I got nine points, there’s no way we can win this game if I don’t get myself going and put my team on my back. And we came out with the win.”

Booker scored 49 points and two-time NBA champion Durant added 33 in a game that featured 23 lead changes — with neither team leading by more than six points.

It was a bitter end to the season for Phoenix, who had high hopes of a deep playoff run after bringing in Bradley Beal to join Durant and Booker in a “Big Three” in Arizona.

In Dallas, the Los Angeles Clippers survived an epic Mavericks comeback bid, squandering a 31-point lead but holding on for a 116-111 victory that knotted their Western Conference series at 2-2.

Paul George scored 26 of his 33 points in the first half to help the Clippers build their big advantage despite the injury absence of Kawhi Leonard.

James Harden scored 15 of his 33 in the fourth quarter, when Dallas — led by the star duo of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic — threatened to match the biggest comeback win in NBA playoff history.