In a clash with significant Western Conference seeding implications, the Minnesota Timberwolves escaped Houston with a narrow 110-108 victory over the Rockets on Thursday night, fueled by a career-high 25 points from Jaden McDaniels and a crucial late-game stand.
The game lived up to its playoff-intensity billing, featuring 14 lead changes and 10 ties, with neither team able to secure a double-digit advantage. The Timberwolves, battling to solidify a top-four spot, showcased their trademark defensive resilience when it mattered most, stifling the Rockets' final possession to secure the win. Houston, fighting to climb out of the play-in tournament zone, saw a valiant comeback effort fall just short despite 30-point performances from both Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün.
The first half was a tense, defensive-minded affair. The Timberwolves took a slim 23-19 lead after one, but Houston responded in the second quarter behind Şengün’s interior scoring and Durant’s mid-range mastery, claiming a 45-44 advantage at the break. The game opened up significantly in the third quarter, with both teams trading blows. Minnesota’s Julius Randle shouldered the offensive load, attacking the basket to keep pace with Durant’s scoring flurries, and the Wolves took a 70-69 lead into the final frame.
The fourth quarter became a showcase for Jaden McDaniels. Often lauded for his elite perimeter defense, McDaniels transformed into an offensive catalyst, scoring 11 of his 25 points in the period. His scoring burst, combined with timely three-pointers from Donte DiVincenzo, helped Minnesota build a precarious five-point cushion with under two minutes to play. Houston’s Amen Thompson, who flirted with a triple-double (11 points, 9 rebounds, 10 assists), spearheaded the final charge. His driving layup cut the deficit to 108-106, and after a Minnesota turnover, Kevin Durant tied the game at 108-108 with a cold-blooded jumper with 24 seconds remaining.
On the ensuing possession, the Wolves went back to their hot hand. McDaniels, isolated on the wing, drove hard and finished a tough, contested layup over Jabari Smith Jr. with 4.7 seconds on the clock. Houston called a timeout to advance the ball, but the Wolves’ league-leading defense held firm. Durant received the inbound pass but was immediately swarmed by McDaniels and Randle, forcing a difficult, off-balance heave that caromed off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
While McDaniels’ offensive explosion was the headline, Minnesota’s balance proved vital. Randle provided a steady 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Rudy Gobert dominated the glass with 14 points and 14 rebounds, controlling the paint defensively. DiVincenzo’s 17 points offered crucial supplemental scoring.
For Houston, the superstar duo delivered but received inconsistent support. Durant’s 30 points came with 8 assists, and Şengün was a model of efficiency inside for his 30. Smith Jr. added a solid double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds. Ultimately, Minnesota’s ability to get a critical stop against two future Hall of Famers sealed the pivotal road victory, providing a potential tiebreaker edge as the regular season enters its final weeks.
