The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Houston Rockets 136-132 on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Toyota Center, closing the game with a strong fourth quarter. Amen Thompson delivered a game-high 41 points for Houston, but Minnesota’s balanced attack and timely three-point shooting carried the road win.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Minnesota set a fast offensive pace right away and edged Houston 37-36 in the opening quarter. The Timberwolves consistently found space from the perimeter, while the Rockets stayed close behind Thompson’s early scoring and efficient interior offense.

Second Quarter

Houston responded in the second and outscored Minnesota 37-32 to take a 73-69 lead into halftime. The Rockets were highly efficient inside the arc and moved the ball well, finishing the half with strong rhythm despite limited production from three-point range.

Third Quarter

The teams traded productive stretches in the third, but Minnesota took the quarter 34-33. That trimmed Houston’s edge to 106-103 entering the fourth, setting up a close finish after both offenses continued to operate at a high level.

Fourth Quarter

The Timberwolves made the difference in the final 12 minutes, outscoring the Rockets 33-26. Minnesota’s perimeter accuracy showed up again late, and the visitors executed well enough in half-court possessions to pull away in the closing minutes and secure the four-point win.

Key Performers

Amen Thompson, Rockets: Thompson led all scorers with 41 points and added nine rebounds and seven assists in an outstanding all-around performance. He was the game’s most productive individual scorer and kept Houston within reach throughout the night.

Terrence Shannon Jr., Timberwolves: Shannon led Minnesota with 23 points, providing the top scoring line for a team that spread the offense across multiple contributors.

Kyle Anderson, Timberwolves: Anderson finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and nine assists, helping organize Minnesota’s offense and providing steady playmaking in key stretches.

Jaden McDaniels, Timberwolves: McDaniels led Minnesota with eight rebounds and helped the visitors stay organized defensively despite Houston’s efficiency inside.

NerdSports Stat: Houston shot 60.9% from the field and still lost, largely because Minnesota made 15 three-pointers to Houston’s four — a 33-point edge from beyond the arc that overcame the Rockets’ big advantage on overall shooting percentage and rebounds.

Game Analysis

This game came down to shot profile and late execution. Houston was excellent from the floor overall, shooting 53-for-87 and finishing at 60.9%, while also winning the rebound battle 39-26. In many games, that combination is enough.

But Minnesota made the math work in its favor. The Timberwolves shot 15-for-30 from three-point range, good for 50.0%, while Houston went just 4-for-18 from deep. That difference gave Minnesota a major scoring lift without needing a huge advantage in total field goals made.

The Timberwolves also stayed balanced offensively. Minnesota had 27 assists and got key contributions from multiple players rather than relying on one dominant scorer. Houston, meanwhile, leaned heavily on Thompson’s brilliant performance. The Rockets still generated 29 assists and scored 132 points, but their fourth-quarter offense dipped just enough for Minnesota to take control.

Another key factor was the closing stretch. After trailing by three entering the fourth, the Timberwolves outperformed Houston in the final period with efficient perimeter shooting and composed playmaking. The Rockets’ 26-point fourth quarter was their lowest-scoring period of the night, and that opening was enough for Minnesota to come away with the win.

Closing Context

The result moved Minnesota to 48-33 on the season and 23-18 on the road, an important late-season win as the Western Conference playoff picture continues to tighten. Houston fell to 51-30 and missed a chance to add another home victory, dropping to 29-11 at Toyota Center. With the regular season nearly complete, both teams remain firmly in the postseason conversation, and this matchup had the feel of a game with potential seeding implications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Houston Rockets vs Minnesota Timberwolves game on April 10, 2026?

Minnesota Timberwolves defeated Houston Rockets 136-132 on April 10, 2026.

How many points did Amen Thompson score?

Amen Thompson scored 41 points on 60.9% team shooting.

What are Minnesota Timberwolves’s standings after this game?

After the win, Minnesota Timberwolves sits 48-33 in the Western Conference.

Who was the best player in the game?

Amen Thompson was the standout performer with 41 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists.