Veteran superstar Kevin Durant ignited the Houston Rockets' offense, powering them to a narrow 110-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in a thrilling NBA regular season clash. The game took place at the Toyota Center in Houston on Saturday, January 17, 2026 (Philippine Time).
Durant's Season-Best Performance Seals the Deal
The 37-year-old Durant was simply magnificent, pouring in a game-high 39 points. He was instrumental down the stretch, knocking down crucial free throws to ice the game. Durant also connected on a season-best number of three-pointers, leading the Rockets to their 24th win against 15 losses this season. This crucial victory helped Houston bounce back from a defeat to Oklahoma City the previous Friday.
With this result, the Rockets (24-15) solidified their hold on fifth place in the highly competitive Western Conference standings. The conference is currently led by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who boast a formidable 35-7 record.
Sengun's Double-Double and a Tense Finale
Durant received vital support from young big man Alperen Sengun, who delivered a powerful double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds. However, Sengun's night ended prematurely as he fouled out in the game's tense final moments.
The Timberwolves, led by Julius Randle's own stellar performance, made a late push. A 6-2 run capped by Randle brought Minnesota to within three points at 105-102 with just 90 seconds remaining. After Sengun fouled out on the play, Jaden McDaniels made one of two free throws, cutting the Rockets' lead to just two.
Closing Moments and Standings Impact
Durant then calmly sank two free throws, followed by a critical turnover from Minnesota's Julius Randle. Fouled again, Durant returned to the line and made two more free throws to definitively seal the 110-105 win for Houston.
For the Timberwolves, Julius Randle was a force, matching Durant with 39 points in a double-double effort. Naz Reid contributed 25 points and nine rebounds, while Rudy Gobert added 10 points and 13 boards. Despite the loss, the Timberwolves (27-15) maintained their position in fourth place in the Western Conference.
