The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame the absence of Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert to pull off a 136-132 road win over the Houston Rockets, snapping Houston’s eight-game winning streak in a tightly contested finish.

 

Both teams came out firing in a high-scoring first quarter, with Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson combining for 26 points to keep Houston level. Minnesota’s balanced attack, however, gave them a narrow one-point edge after the opening period.

 

The Rockets responded in the second quarter behind a breakout first-half performance from Thompson, who poured in 24 points as Houston took a four-point lead into halftime. The back-and-forth battle continued after the break, with neither side able to create separation through three quarters as the Rockets carried a slim three-point advantage into the fourth.

 

Minnesota flipped the game in the final frame, opening on a 10-2 run to seize control. With 1:08 remaining, Durant split a pair of free throws to trim the deficit to four, but Anthony Edwards answered with a clutch three-pointer to extend the lead to seven. A costly Houston turnover on the next possession helped Minnesota close it out.

 

Seven Timberwolves finished in double figures, led by reserve Terrence Shannon Jr. with 23 points, while Edwards added 22 in the win.

 

For Houston, Thompson delivered a career-high 41 points with nine rebounds and seven assists, while Durant contributed 33 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in the losing effort.

 

The Rockets will look to bounce back in their regular-season finale against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 13, while the Timberwolves host the New Orleans Pelicans the same day.