HOUSTON — In an electrifying finish, Anthony Edwards delivered a critical step-back 3-pointer with just 23 seconds remaining, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a thrilling 113-112 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday night.
The Rockets held a 12-point advantage with approximately three minutes to go, but the Timberwolves rallied remarkably with a 10-0 scoring run. The surge was capped off by a 3-point play from Edwards, narrowing the gap to 110-108 with 90 seconds left on the clock.
Following Edwards’ heroics, Alperen Sengun converted 1 of 2 free throws, but Julius Randle responded with a powerful dunk, bringing Minnesota within striking distance at 112-111. Sengun was fouled once more, again hitting only 1 of 2 free throws, which allowed the Rockets to maintain a slender 112-110 lead.
With the game in the balance, Edwards drained a game-winning 3-pointer, granting Minnesota its first lead since the latter part of the third quarter. The Rockets were presented an opportunity to reclaim victory, but Fred VanVleet’s attempt from beyond the arc fell short.
In this crucial win for the Timberwolves, Randle led with 27 points while Edwards contributed significantly with 24 points. This victory marked Minnesota’s second consecutive win, ending a previous stretch of three losses.
On the opposing team, Sengun had a standout performance, notching a season-high 38 points alongside 12 rebounds, but his efforts weren’t enough to avert the Rockets’ loss, which halted their four-game winning streak.
Key insights include the fact that Edwards had only managed a single point during the second half before he turned the game around with his clutch shots.
Additionally, the Rockets could have benefited from Dillon Brooks’s defensive prowess during the crucial moments; however, he was sidelined for the third straight game due to an ankle injury.
The pivotal moment of the night was undoubtedly Edwards’ 3-pointer, while the Timberwolves claimed victory despite being significantly outscored in the paint, 66-40.
Looking ahead, the Rockets will next face the Miami Heat at home, while the Timberwolves are set to host the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night.
