The Minnesota Timberwolves outlasted the Houston Rockets 110-108 in overtime on Wednesday night at Target Center, improving to 45-28 in a game that stayed close from the opening tip through the final possessions. Minnesota used a balanced scoring effort, timely defense, and a steady overtime finish to hold off Houston, which got a standout 30-point performance from Alperen Sengun in the narrow road loss.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Minnesota opened with a slight edge, taking a 23-19 lead after one quarter. The Timberwolves were sharper early on the offensive end and created just enough separation to control the opening stretch, while Houston worked to settle into the game.
Second Quarter: The Rockets answered in the second, outscoring Minnesota 24-21 to even the game at 44-44 by halftime. Houston tightened up defensively and found more rhythm in the half court, setting up a competitive finish over the final two periods.
Third Quarter: Neither side gave much ground after the break. Minnesota posted a 26-25 edge in the third quarter, taking a 70-69 lead into the fourth. The game continued to swing possession by possession, with both teams leaning on interior scoring and second-chance opportunities.
Fourth Quarter: Houston narrowly outscored Minnesota 27-25 in the fourth, and the teams finished regulation tied at 95-95. The Rockets did enough late to extend the night, while the Timberwolves responded to each push and kept the game within reach before overtime.
Overtime: Minnesota delivered a 15-13 advantage in the extra session to secure the win. In a game defined by slim margins, the Timberwolves made just enough plays in overtime to close it out in front of the home crowd.
Key Performers
Timberwolves:
Jaden McDaniels led Minnesota with 25 points, providing the team’s top scoring output in a game where offense was spread across the rotation. Rudy Gobert added a strong two-way performance with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks, anchoring the paint on both ends. Bones Hyland finished with 8 assists to lead the Timberwolves in playmaking as Minnesota recorded 27 assists as a team.
Rockets:
Alperen Sengun led all scorers with 30 points and added 6 rebounds and 4 blocks, continuing his productive season with another central performance. Amen Thompson handed out 10 assists to guide Houston’s offense, while Jabari Smith Jr. pulled down 12 rebounds. The Rockets also made a strong impact at the free throw line, going 23-of-25 for 92.0 percent.
Game Analysis
This was a tightly contested matchup shaped by execution in the margins. Houston finished with a 54-49 rebounding advantage and was far more efficient at the foul line, but Minnesota made up ground through shot volume and perimeter production. The Timberwolves attempted 108 field goals compared with Houston’s 93 and connected on 13 three-pointers to the Rockets’ 9, giving them enough extra offense to offset a lower free throw total.
Minnesota shot 41.7 percent from the field, while Houston finished at 40.9 percent, so neither team found extended offensive separation. Instead, the difference came from the Timberwolves’ ability to generate additional possessions and get contributions across the lineup. Gobert’s interior defense was especially important, and McDaniels’ scoring gave Minnesota a reliable option in key stretches.
For Houston, Sengun was the most consistent offensive presence, and the Rockets showed composure throughout regulation, especially in the second and fourth quarters. But in overtime, Minnesota’s defense held firm enough to limit Houston’s late push and preserve the two-point result.
Closing Context
The win moves Minnesota to 45-28 overall and 25-13 at home, an important result as the Western Conference standings continue to tighten late in the regular season. Houston fell to 43-29 and 18-19 on the road, with the loss ending a chance to pick up a valuable road result against another conference contender. If Wednesday’s matchup is any indication, both teams look capable of being difficult opponents as the postseason race continues.
