After beating the Golden State Warriors in back-to-back games 104-101 last night, the Minnesota Timberwolves traveled to the desert to play the Phoenix Suns, who were expected to be at full strength for the first time this season with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal active.

After his pregame warmup, Beal was a late scratch. The energy used last night and coming into town against a fresh Phoenix club playing after three days of rest made it challenging.

Even without Beal, Booker (calf) played well for the first time since November 2 and made it a miserable night for the Wolves.

Weary best describes the Timberwolves’ performance. You could tell that they were fatigued from the flight and from the Warriors games from the preceding three days. Each NBA season has these games, and while it’s hard to watch Minnesota’s seven-game victory run stop, let’s not forget the enthusiasm.

Despite weary from playing with the Suns in the first quarter, the Wolves opened strong. Former Timberwolf Josh Okogie nailed two 3-pointers in the first quarter. Before this game, he was shooting 17% from downtown, but the prior team buff was in full force. Thanks to Towns and the second unit, the Timberwolves rallied to within six heading into the second quarter. KAT extended his hot streak with 14 points in the first quarter, over half of the Timberwolves’ total.

Things went haywire in the second quarter. The Suns accelerated immediately. Phoenix took control as Drew Eubanks nailed a 3-pointer.

They led by 22 points at halftime after scoring 41 points in the quarter. Booker and KD got anything they wanted every time down the floor since the Wolves had no point of attack defense. Phoenix made 17 of 27 shots (63%) and six of nine 3-pointers in the quarter.

Minnesota struggled to find offense all half outside of Towns, who didn’t score in the second quarter, and Mike Conley, who scored 10 points on 3/3 shooting from the floor and 3/3 from the free throw line.

The Timberwolves had many explosive bursts in the second half, but the Suns’ high-quality offense stifled them. The highlight was KAT’s 12,000th NBA point on his 28th birthday, a thundering slam over Jusuf Nurkić. Celebrate little wins, especially in a game like this.

The Wolves had numerous chances, notably a nine-point Naz Reid flurry in the bridge from the third to fourth quarters, but their exhausted legs couldn’t rally.

Minnesota Head Coach Chris Finch normally follows the “you got yourself into it, get yourself out of it” policy when departing starts, but he waved the white flag with 4:30 left in the game.

It is inexcusable to play this poorly ever, but after yesterday night’s victory over the Warriors, where the Wolves had to come back many times, it is understandable. Tonight, Josh Minott and Luka Garza got some screen time.

I realize supporters have grown accustomed to winning in recent weeks, but it’s a long season and you can’t win every game. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant scored 31 points on 23/37 shooting (62%), and the Wolves could have played their top-tier defense tonight, but they didn’t.

Tired legs and poor protection cornered them. That with the Suns’ 17/31 (54.8%) shooting from beyond the arc made Minnesota’s comeback impossible.