Timberwolves Extend Lead Late to Defeat Rockets 117-107
Jonathan Kuminga and Ayo Dosunmu scored in the final minutes to secure a win for Minnesota despite injuries to Anthony Edwards and Terrence Shannon Jr.
By Gavin Wilson ·
Minnesota Timberwolves fans saw their team take control of the game in the final two minutes. Jonathan Kuminga hit a three-pointer and grabbed a tip-in, while Ayo Dosunmu stole the ball, extending the lead to 111-104 with about two minutes remaining. Kuminga later added another three-pointer to push the score to 114-106 with less than a minute left. The Timberwolves finished the game with a 117-107 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.
The game was tight until the fourth quarter. Houston led by two points midway through the final period. LaMelo Ball scored seven consecutive points during a 10-2 run for Minnesota, giving the home team a 104-98 lead with five minutes to play. Fred VanVleet cut the deficit to 104-102 for Houston a minute later, but the momentum stayed with Minnesota. Ball finished with 20 points, scoring 12 in the fourth quarter after a season-high 34 in his previous game.
Alperen Sengun recorded his 13th career triple-double, finishing with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists for Houston. Kevin Durant added 21 points, and VanVleet contributed 18. For Minnesota, Kuminga finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels added 14 points and eight boards. Dosunmu led the Timberwolves with 21 points. The Rockets lost for only the second time this season.
Injuries affected the Timberwolves rotation. The team played without star Anthony Edwards, who is out for up to two months following arthroscopic knee surgery. Guard Terrence Shannon Jr. also missed his second straight game due to a bruised hip. Kuminga received a flagrant foul 1 in the second quarter after elbowing Sengun in the jaw.
The Timberwolves will visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. The Rockets will travel to Phoenix to face the Suns on Saturday night.
