Durant’s Season-High 39 Points Lift Rockets Past Timberwolves, 110–105
Coming off a subpar shooting night in his previous outing against Oklahoma City, Durant responded emphatically. He showcased elite efficiency, knocking down 6 of 8 shots from three-point range, and sealed the game with clutch free throws in the final moments.
Durant vs. Randle: A Scoring Duel
With Anthony Edwards sidelined for the second straight game due to a foot injury, Julius Randle assumed the offensive burden for Minnesota—and delivered. Randle matched Durant point for point, finishing with 39 points in a standout performance.
The two forwards traded baskets throughout the second half, but Houston’s balance and execution down the stretch proved decisive.
Strong Support Cast
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Alperen Sengun was dominant inside, recording 25 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.
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Rookie Reed Sheppard provided a spark off the bench, scoring 14 points, including several timely three-pointers that helped Houston maintain momentum.
Key Game Notes
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Free-Throw Struggles: Both teams struggled at the charity stripe, combining to miss 29 free throws.
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Gobert’s Night: Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert had a difficult outing at the line, converting just 2 of 10 free throws.
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Historic Streak: Despite the loss, Minnesota extended its streak of scoring at least 100 points to 100 consecutive games, the third-longest such run in NBA history.
Turning Point
Minnesota cut a double-digit deficit to 105–102 with 1:30 remaining, but a costly turnover by Randle followed by Durant’s calm execution at the free-throw line allowed Houston to regain control and close out the game.
What’s Next
The Rockets improved to 23–15, continuing their push up the Western Conference standings. The Timberwolves fell to 27–14 and will look to rebound quickly as they head to San Antonio for the second night of a back-to-back.
Reviewed by talalgasim
on
January 17, 2026
Rating:
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