The Houston Rockets pulled off a thrilling 110-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 16, 2026, at the Toyota Center in a hard-fought Western Conference battle. This game featured standout offensive performances, clutch plays in the final minutes, and a vintage scoring display from a veteran superstar that helped the Rockets snap a recent slump.
Here are some electrifying moments from the Rockets’ celebration after the hard-earned win:
Kevin Durant’s Masterclass Leads the Way
Kevin Durant was the difference-maker for Houston, delivering a season-high 39 points on 11-of-18 shooting, including a scorching 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. The 15-time All-Star and former MVP added 7 assists while going 11-of-14 from the free-throw line. His performance came at a crucial time for the Rockets, who were coming off a disappointing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder the night before on the second night of a back-to-back.
Durant’s hot shooting from deep ended a rough patch for the team, which had struggled with three-point shooting in recent games. His ability to answer Minnesota runs with timely buckets kept Houston in control during key stretches.
Check out Durant’s dominance in action during this high-stakes matchup:
Timberwolves Fight Back Without Anthony Edwards
The Timberwolves, missing star guard Anthony Edwards (due to a foot issue for the second straight game), leaned heavily on Julius Randle, who matched Durant’s output with a season-high 39 points of his own. Randle shot 14-of-25 from the field and showed why he’s been a reliable scoring option in Edwards’ absence.
Off the bench, Naz Reid provided a major spark with 25 points and 10 rebounds, including an impressive 5-of-8 from three-point range. Minnesota’s offense stayed efficient, but they struggled at the free-throw line — a key factor in the loss.
Unfortunately for the Wolves, Edwards’ absence was felt, as the dynamic scorer averages nearly 29 points per game this season. Here’s a look at the explosive guard in typical form:
Key Moments and Fourth-Quarter Drama
The game remained competitive throughout. Minnesota built an early lead in the first half with strong ball movement and transition scoring, taking a narrow advantage into the break. The third quarter was tightly contested, with the Timberwolves holding an 82-81 lead heading into the final period.
However, the Rockets flipped the script in the fourth. Houston outscored Minnesota 19-9 during a decisive mid-quarter run, taking a 100-91 lead on a three-pointer by Jabari Smith Jr.. The Rockets’ defense tightened, forcing tough shots and capitalizing on free throws down the stretch.
The final minutes were tense: After a basket by Bones Hyland cut the deficit to six, the Timberwolves had chances to close the gap. Rudy Gobert struggled immensely at the line (missing three of four in a critical sequence), and Durant sealed the game with clutch free throws in the last minute.
Intense action like this defines why NBA fans love these Western Conference clashes:
Supporting Cast Contributions
For Houston, young talents stepped up to complement Durant’s heroics. Alperen Sengun battled in the paint with solid post play (though he fouled out late), while Jabari Smith Jr. added double-digit points and rebounds. The Rockets’ home record remained strong, improving their standing in a competitive Western Conference.
Here are some highlights of Sengun’s post-up mastery that helped Houston control the interior:
And Jalen Green’s explosive drives continue to energize the Rockets’ offense:
Statistical Breakdown and Takeaways
Both teams had issues at the free-throw line — Houston went 20-of-34, while Minnesota was 20-of-35 (with Gobert going just 2-of-10). Despite the misses, the Rockets converted clutch opportunities when it mattered most.
The victory pushes Houston to 24-15, strengthening their position in the West. Minnesota falls to 27-15 but continues to show resilience even without their star guard.
This game highlighted the depth of talent in the Western Conference, where veteran experience (Durant) clashed with determined team efforts (Timberwolves). The Rockets’ ability to bounce back after a tough loss and Durant’s scoring outburst will give fans plenty to talk about heading into the rest of the season.
The Timberwolves’ next challenge comes quickly with a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, while Houston hosts New Orleans next. Both teams remain contenders in a loaded conference, and nights like this remind us why the NBA is must-watch basketball.
