Dosunmu, Kuminga surge drives Timberwolves past Rockets
Minnesota extended its lead in the fourth quarter to beat Houston 117-107 despite missing Anthony Edwards and Terrence Shannon Jr.
By Katherine Brooks ·
The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a tight contest to defeat the Houston Rockets 117-107 on Wednesday night. Ayo Dosunmu led the scoring with 21 points, while Jonathan Kuminga sparked a decisive late run that separated the teams in the final minutes.
The game remained close through the third quarter. Houston held a two-point lead midway through the fourth period. LaMelo Ball then scored seven points during a 10-2 run that gave Minnesota a 104-98 advantage with about five minutes remaining.
Houston cut the deficit to 104-102 following a three-pointer from Fred VanVleet. Minnesota then pulled away decisively. Kuminga hit a three, Dosunmu stole the ball, and Kuminga finished with a tip-in to make the score 111-104 with two minutes left. Kuminga added another three-point shot to extend the lead to 114-106 with under a minute to play.
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with a 13th career triple-double, recording 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Kevin Durant added 21 points for Houston, which has lost only twice this season. Ball finished with 20 points after posting a season-high 34 in his previous game.
Minnesota played without star guard Anthony Edwards, who is out for up to two months following arthroscopic knee surgery. The team also missed guard Terrence Shannon Jr., who sat out his second straight game with a bruised hip. Kuminga finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels contributed 14 points and eight rebounds for the Wolves.
Kuminga received a flagrant foul 1 in the second quarter after elbowing Sengun in the jaw. The Timberwolves will visit New Orleans on Friday night. The Rockets will play in Phoenix on Saturday night.
