Key Takeaways
- The Result: The Houston Rockets fended off a late surge to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-105.
- The History: Minnesota reached 100 points for the 100th consecutive game, the third-longest streak in NBA history.
- The Struggle: Rudy Gobert finished a dismal 2-for-10 from the free-throw line, a major factor in the five-point loss.
- Injury News: Anthony Edwards missed his second straight game with a lingering foot issue.
HOUSTON — Kevin Durant still has the “Slim Reaper” in him. The 37-year-old veteran drained six three-pointers on his way to a season-high 39 points, leading the Houston Rockets to a gritty 110-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. While Houston celebrated a bounce-back win, Minnesota left the Toyota Center wondering how they let a 39-point performance from Julius Randle go to waste.
Rockets Launch, Wolves Stumble at the Line
The Rockets didn’t just win; they survived. After a blowout loss to Oklahoma City the night before, Houston leaned heavily on Durant’s perimeter gravity. Alperen Sengun anchored the paint with 25 points and 14 rebounds, but the story of the night was the charity stripe. Minnesota shot a staggering 35 free throws but converted only 20 of them.
Rudy Gobert’s 20% shooting from the line drew audible groans from the traveling fans. Even as Julius Randle carried the offensive load with his own 39-point gem, the missed opportunities at the line proved fatal. A late 6-2 run by the Wolves cut the lead to 105-103, but Durant iced the game with four consecutive free throws in the final 60 seconds.
| Player | Points | Rebounds/Assists | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Durant (HOU) | 39 | 6-11 3PT | Clutch FTs to seal win |
| Julius Randle (MIN) | 39 | 9 REB | Season-high points |
| Alperen Sengun (HOU) | 25 | 14 REB | Fouled out late |
| Naz Reid (MIN) | 25 | 10 REB | Spark off the bench |
| Rudy Gobert (MIN) | 8 | 12 REB | 2-10 FT (20%) |
What They Said
“I felt good early. After going 0-for-5 from deep yesterday, I knew the rhythm would come back. We needed this win to stay in the hunt for that top-four seed.” — Kevin Durant, Rockets Forward
“It’s tough. You look at the scoreboard and see we lost by five, then you look at the free-throw line. We have to be better. I have to be better.” — Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves Center
Playoff Implications: The West Tightens Up
This result keeps Houston firmly in the mix for home-court advantage, moving them to 24-15. They sit just 1.5 games behind the Timberwolves in a Western Conference that feels like a nightly bar fight. For Minnesota (27-15), the loss is a reminder of how much they miss Anthony Edwards’ shot-creation. Without “Ant-Man” to bridge the gaps, the offense becomes predictable, relying solely on Randle’s physicality.
What’s Next: The Timberwolves head home to face the surging Sacramento Kings on Sunday, hoping for an Edwards return. The Rockets look to build a streak as they host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.
