Dosunmu scores 21 and Kuminga sparks late surge in Timberwolves’ 117-107 win over Rockets

Houston (AP) — Ayo Dosunmu registered 21 points while Jonathan Kuminga ignited a late surge, aiding the Minnesota Timberwolves in securing a 117-107 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. Initially trailing by two points, the Timberwolves capitalized on a 3-pointer from Kuminga, a steal by Dosunmu and a tip-in by Kuminga to extend their lead to 111-104 with roughly two minutes left on the clock.

Kevin Durant managed to sink two free throws for Houston before Kuminga's subsequent 3-pointer extended the Timberwolves' advantage to 114-106, with under a minute remaining. LaMelo Ball contributed 12 points out of his 20-point total for Minnesota, which was his highest-scoring performance in the previous game. Alperen Sengun etched his name in Rocket history with his 13th career triple-double, tallying 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.

The Rockets suffered their second loss of the season, falling to the Timberwolves. Durant contributed 21 points, while Fred VanVleet added 18. Kuminga concluded the game with 16 points and eight rebounds. Jaden McDaniels contributed 14 points and eight rebounds for the Timberwolves. Houston led by two midway through the fourth quarter, but Ball scored seven points during a ten-point run, pulling the Timberwolves to a 104-98 lead with around five minutes remaining.

Sengun made one of two free throws before VanVleet's 3-pointer brought the Rockets within 104-102, a minute later. The Timberwolves, currently without Anthony Edwards for approximately two months due to arthroscopic knee surgery, also played without Terrence Shannon Jr., who missed his second consecutive game due to a bruised hip.

Kuminga received a flagrant foul 1 in the second quarter after elbowing Sengun in the jaw, sending him to the ground. Minnesota travels to New Orleans for a Friday night showdown.