Sunday’s game featured what is becoming a rarity in today’s NBA: two throwback, pass-first point guards in the Wolves’ Mike Conley and the Suns’ Apple Valley’s own Tyus Jones.

“There’s a trend for everyone who brings it up: playing faster and more randomly,” Budenholzer said before the game. “Those things tend to run away from having a point guard. You have to learn to take advantage of those types of players when you have one. Obviously Minnesota with Conley, one of the greats at his position. I’m not sure how long he’s been at it now, how many years, but a lot.

‘And then Tyus for us. Whenever you have good players, you just have to learn how to take advantage of them. Those guys have adapted well to the competition and still know how important they are for both teams.”

Jones made a pair of floaters in the fourth quarter to keep the Wolves away. He finished with 13 points, 11 assists and three steals.

Sunday was a 2:30 p.m. opening tip, a rare start against NFL broadcasts, especially the end of the Vikings-Tennessee game. The reason: primetime teams are scheduled for primetime coverage in Europe’s Sunday evening markets.

The 2:30 p.m. start didn’t allow for a shootaround or morning meeting after the Wolves flew home from Sacramento on Saturday. They instead gathered in the locker room a little early, Finch said before Sunday’s game.