DiVincenzo Sparks Wolves to Snap Rockets’ Streak
The Houston Rockets were riding a massive wave of momentum, looking untouchable during their eight-game tear. But Friday night, that narrative hit a wall in the form of a gritty, short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves squad. Despite missing key starters Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert, alongside sixth man Naz Reid, Minnesota executed a masterclass in balanced basketball. Donte DiVincenzo stepped up when it mattered most, dropping 11 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t just him, though—Terrence Shannon Jr. provided a huge lift off the bench with 23 points, proving that this Timberwolves team is deeper than anyone gave them credit for.
Anthony Edwards made his long-awaited return after sitting out 10 of the previous 12 games, and he didn’t waste any time leaving his mark. With 50.5 seconds remaining on the clock, he nailed a cold-blooded 3-pointer that finally silenced the Houston crowd and secured the 136-132 Timberwolves win. Honestly, it was the exact kind of dagger we’ve come to expect from him. While the Rockets managed to score an incredible 86 points in the paint, they simply couldn’t find an answer for Minnesota’s perimeter efficiency. The Wolves shot a blistering 57.3% from the floor, hitting 15 of 30 from beyond the arc.
It was a complete team effort that left the Rockets reeling after their dominant eight-game run.
The game was a chaotic back-and-forth battle, particularly in the second quarter which saw 11 ties and 11 lead changes. Amen Thompson put up a Herculean effort for Houston, dropping a career-high 41 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Durant added 33 points, but the Timberwolves were resilient. After trailing 73-69 at halftime, Minnesota clawed back into contention through high-level offensive execution. The Timberwolves snapped the streak by refusing to fold, with Mike Conley’s perfect 3-for-3 shooting performance from deep acting as the glue that kept them in the game during crucial stretches of play.
What stands out is how Minnesota managed to adapt without their primary big men. By relying on ball movement and high-percentage shooting, they carved up the Rockets’ defense. Jaden McDaniels contributed a steady 16 points and seven rebounds, while Kyle Anderson facilitated the offense with nine assists. Even as the Rockets tried to keep pace, the sheer offensive output from the Timberwolves was just too much to handle on this particular Friday night. It was an impressive showing for the Timberwolves, showing that even when they aren’t at full strength, they have the firepower to take down the league’s hottest teams.
