Kevin Durant's season-high 39 points and clutch free throws lift Rockets over Timberwolves

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Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) defends against Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland (8) and forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) — Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) defends against Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Houston, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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12:43 AM on Saturday, January 17

By KRISTIE RIEKEN

HOUSTON (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 39 points and made a season-best six 3-pointers to lead the Houston Rockets to a 110-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday night.

Alperen Sengun added 25 points with 14 rebounds to help the Rockets bounce back after a blowout loss to Oklahoma City Thursday night.

A 6-2 run by the Timberwolves, with four points from Julius Randle, got them within 105-102 with about 90 seconds to go. Sengun fouled out soon after that and Jaden McDaniels made one of two free throws to get Minnesota within two points.

Durant made two free throws with under a minute left before Randle turned the ball over and Durant was fouled again. He made two more free throws with 22.1 seconds left to seal the victory.

Durant’s big shooting night came after he was 0 for 5 on 3-pointers against the Thunder.

Randle had season-high 39 points for the Timberwolves on a night when Anthony Edwards missed a second straight game with a foot issue.

The Timberwolves trailed by six points after a basket by Bones Hyland before Rudy Gobert missed a chance to close the gap by missing three of his next four free throws. Houston remained up by 5 later in the fourth, but a dunk by Sengun extended the lead to 103-96 with 3½ minutes left.

Neither team shot well from the free throw line, with Houston making just 20 of 34 and Minnesota going 20 for 35. Gobert had the worst night, going 2 for 10 on free throws.

Naz Reid added 25 points with 10 rebounds off the bench for the Timberwolves, who scored at least 100 points in their 100th straight game, which is the third-longest such streak in NBA history.

Up next

Timberwolves: Visit San Antonio on Saturday night.

Rockets: Host New Orleans on Sunday night.

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