As if sweeping the Phoenix Suns on Sunday in the Western Conference first round of the NBA playoffs weren't enough, the Minnesota Timberwolves are throwing more (virtual) punches on social media.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 40 points -- 31 of which he scored in the second half -- to cap off a 122-116 Game 4 win. Devin Booker's playoff career-high 49 points for the Suns wasn't enough.
"It was like -- you've got to beat us," Edwards said. "And I showed them."
It marked the Timberwolves' first playoff series win in 20 years and first sweep ever. Minnesota wasn't shy about celebrating its win, trolling Phoenix with multiple posts.
Even more than 12 hours after the game ended, the Timberwolves continued to poke fun at the Suns while highlighting Edwards' game.
the sun always sets. 😉 pic.twitter.com/nCWpJkLbok
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 29, 2024
But it's far from the first or last post at this rate. Here's a look at the most notable trolls with added context.
'Wolves in four'
During Phoenix's 2021 championship run, a second-round matchup with the Denver Nuggets birthed a popular meme. Fans engaging in a fight in the crowd led to one Suns fan yelling out: "Suns in four!" while wearing a Steve Nash jersey.
The fan went viral, and Booker even posted a screenshot of the fan with the caption: "Need mans info." But the back-and-forth can become a trolling tool for other teams and the Timberwolves jumped on the opportunity with their own take.
WOLVES IN FOUR. pic.twitter.com/wqAxkGX9xD
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 29, 2024
Minnesota also posted a graphic about the sweep with the caption: "See U Next Season." The capitalized letters spell out: "Suns," a subtle jab.
See
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 29, 2024
U
Next
Season pic.twitter.com/2dKjTG7JZx
'First time for everything'
Heading into Game 4, Suns guard Bradley Beal shared his mindset while facing elimination.
"I've never been swept a day in my life ... I'll be damned if that happens," he said.
Beal ended up with nine points on 4-of-13 shooting with six turnovers. He also fouled out of the game with 1:56 left in the fourth quarter. During his exit interview Monday, he sat down and said, "I'll be damned, man" before chuckling.
The Timberwolves made sure to poke fun at Beal's comment with their own response.
first time for everything. https://t.co/PmyKrrLDix
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 29, 2024
'We ain't done workin''
More than an hour after the game finished, Minnesota posted photos of players including Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert lifting weights.
To the naked eye, it might seem like just another post after a win. But the Timberwolves are taking a shot at a viral clip the Suns posted in March 2022. Booker and former Suns including Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder were seen working out after beating the Golden State Warriors.
"Winners work" ...the @suns put in extra work following their 4-point road W. 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/Tp1qeIkApk
— NBA (@NBA) March 31, 2022
Minnesota didn't forget, trolling Phoenix for its "winners work" video with its own spin.
we ain't done workin'. pic.twitter.com/RfbDHc0vV3
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 29, 2024
The Timberwolves will play the winner of the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers in the second round.
