The Minnesota Timberwolves lost an eight-point lead in the final 50 seconds Friday night in Phoenix during a 114-113 NBA Cup loss to the upstart Suns. They lost something else over the final minute and a half, too, according to Wolves head caoch Chris Finch.

At 2-1 with a plus-53 point differential, they are still in the NBA Cup hunt. But a win would have all but clinched a spot in the quarters.

The Minnesota Timberwolves had an eight-point lead with less than minute to go Friday night, talking a little smack to their opponents as a hard-fought, chippy game between Western Conference rivals came to a close.

After being knotted at 20-20, the Suns took a 32-24 lead into the second quarter thanks to a poor shooting effort (32% from the field, 25% from downtown) with Collin Gillespie leading all Suns in scoring with eight points coming off the bench.

In his third season, Gillespie has established himself as an early contender for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award.

In a game that saw both teams go on big runs – Phoenix led by 18 in the 1st half, Minnesota rallied back and led by eight with a minute left – it was Phoenix who made the critical final push in the last minute to stun Minnesota and remain unbeaten in Group Play.