Kevin Durant Powers Rockets Past Timberwolves In Thrilling Finish

The Houston Rockets delivered a thrilling performance on Friday night at the Toyota Center, edging out the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-105 in a game packed with drama, momentum swings, and standout individual efforts. With Kevin Durant leading the charge for Houston and Julius Randle putting up a career night for Minnesota, fans were treated to a competitive contest that came down to the wire.

Coming into the matchup, the Rockets were slight favorites, given a 4.5-point edge by oddsmakers. The Timberwolves, sitting at 27-14, were looking to capitalize on two full days of rest, while the Rockets (23-15) were coming off a tough back-to-back following a blowout loss to Oklahoma City the night before. Key storylines swirled around absences and returns: Minnesota’s star guard Anthony Edwards was sidelined with a lingering foot injury, and Rudy Gobert was back in the lineup after serving a one-game suspension, pushing Naz Reid back to the second unit.

Despite the Timberwolves being underdogs, many analysts liked their chances to cover the spread, citing Houston’s 0-3 record against the spread on back-to-backs and Minnesota’s fresher legs. As it turned out, the contest lived up to the billing, with both teams trading blows and no shortage of lead changes.

Kevin Durant, who had struggled from beyond the arc in the previous game, rebounded in spectacular fashion. He poured in a season-high 39 points, shooting an efficient 11 of 18 from the field and a blistering 6 of 8 from three-point range. Durant was clutch in the closing moments, sinking four free throws in the final minute to seal the win for Houston. "Durant made two free throws with under a minute left before Randle turned the ball over and Durant was fouled again. He made two more free throws with 22.1 seconds left to seal the victory," reported the Associated Press.

Not to be outdone, Julius Randle turned in a monster performance for the Timberwolves, matching Durant’s 39 points on 14 of 25 shooting. Randle’s relentless attacks kept Minnesota in the hunt, especially in the second half. He scored the first 11 points of the third quarter for the Wolves and was instrumental in a late-game 6-2 run that cut Houston’s lead to just three points with under two minutes to play. As Field Level Media/Reuters noted, "Randle resumed his rampage with a dunk on the ensuing Timberwolves possession and totaled 17 points on 6-for-8 shooting in the period, and Minnesota took an 82-81 lead into the fourth."

Alperen Sengun was another bright spot for Houston, contributing 25 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out late in the game. His presence in the paint was felt throughout, and his late-game dunk extended Houston’s lead to 103-96 with just over three minutes remaining. Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson also chipped in with 14 points apiece, providing much-needed support for Durant and Sengun.

For Minnesota, Naz Reid made the most of his minutes off the bench, tallying 25 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Despite not starting due to Gobert’s return, Reid’s impact was undeniable. Over his last seven games in January, the 26-year-old had been averaging 17.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 blocks per contest—a testament to his growing role on the team. As noted by CBS Sports, "Reid won’t start against the Rockets on Friday. Rudy Gobert is back in the lineup following a one-game suspension, so Reid will slide back to the second unit."

Rudy Gobert’s return, however, was marred by struggles at the free-throw line. He went just 2 for 10 from the stripe, part of a broader issue for both teams: the Rockets shot 20 of 34 on free throws, while the Timberwolves were 20 of 35. In total, both squads combined to miss 29 free throws, a stat that loomed large in a game ultimately decided by five points. The Associated Press reported, "Gobert had the worst night, going 2 for 10 on free throws."

The game’s opening quarter saw Minnesota jump out to an early double-digit lead, fueled by seven fastbreak points by the midway mark and a post score by Reid that made it 24-13. Houston, however, clawed back thanks to Sheppard’s hot hand from beyond the arc, trimming the deficit to 34-29 by the end of the first. The Rockets’ scoring woes continued into the second quarter, as they failed to record a field goal until nearly halfway through the period. Still, they finished the half strong, with a block from Jabari Smith Jr. and a corner three from Durant off a feed from Sheppard, sending them into halftime trailing just 55-53.

The third quarter was a shootout between Randle and Durant, with both stars trading baskets and the lead changing hands multiple times. Houston finally grabbed its first advantage at 59-57 on a Durant triple at the 10:49 mark. Minnesota, however, refused to fold, and the teams entered the fourth with the Timberwolves holding a slim 82-81 edge.

The final period was a tense, back-and-forth affair. Houston built a nine-point cushion, but Minnesota stormed back behind Randle’s heroics. With 1:33 left, the Wolves had cut it to 105-102. After Sengun fouled out, Jaden McDaniels made a free throw to bring Minnesota within two. But that’s when Durant’s composure at the line made the difference, knocking down four consecutive free throws to keep Houston ahead for good.

Despite the loss, the Timberwolves managed to score at least 100 points for the 100th consecutive game, marking the third-longest such streak in NBA history. It’s a testament to their offensive consistency, even on nights when key players like Edwards are missing.

Looking ahead, Minnesota will head to San Antonio to face the Spurs on Saturday night, hoping to regroup and get back in the win column. The Rockets, meanwhile, will look to build on this momentum as they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.

Friday’s contest was a showcase of star power, resilience, and the unpredictability that makes the NBA so captivating. With Durant and Randle trading baskets and both teams battling until the final buzzer, fans were left on the edge of their seats. If this matchup is any indication, both the Rockets and Timberwolves will be forces to watch as the season heats up.