The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Houston Rockets 136–132 on Friday night in a high-scoring battle that shifted the Western Conference playoff picture. This victory officially ended the Rockets’ eight-game winning streak and secured the No. 6 seed for Minnesota. By grabbing this spot, the Timberwolves avoid the Play-In Tournament. The game happened as teams fight for final positions before the 2026 postseason begins.
Anthony Edwards came up big when it mattered most. He hit a deep 3-pointer with only 35 seconds left on the clock. That shot put the Timberwolves up 135–128 and stopped a late Houston comeback. Minnesota won despite playing without star Julius Randle. Randle sat out again with a sore right hand. But the sports world saw a balanced attack instead. Seven different Minnesota players scored 15 points or more.
Rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. led the way off the bench with 23 points. His energy helped Minnesota stay ahead in a fast-paced game at the Toyota Center. On the other side, Amen Thompson was unstoppable for Houston. Thompson scored a career-high 41 points. He made 17 of his 22 shots. Kevin Durant also had a huge night for the Rockets with 33 points. Durant is now the oldest player in NBA history to score 2,000 points in a single season. At 37, he passed the old mark set by Karl Malone in 2000. These details from the Sportsnet highlights show a team ready for a deep run.
Durant achieved the milestone in the fourth quarter. It is the eighth time he has reached that number in his career. The Rockets kept it close until the final minute. Thompson cut the lead to four points before Edwards hit his clutch shot. According to a report by BasketNews, Durant’s feat is something even LeBron James has not done at that age. The win moves Minnesota into a matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. The Rockets will finish their season against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Rockets see their hot streak end but they already have a playoff spot locked in.
How the Timberwolves Depth Reshapes the Western Conference Playoff Bracket
This win is more than just a regular-season result. By clinching the No. 6 seed, Minnesota avoids the chaos of the Play-In Tournament. This gives them time to rest Julius Randle’s hand before the first round. The fact that seven players scored 15 points shows a shift in their offensive system. They do not just rely on Edwards anymore. Historically, teams with this kind of scoring balance are much harder to scout in a seven-game series. For Houston, the loss snaps a streak, but Durant’s record-breaking season proves he is still a top-tier threat. This sets up a dangerous lower-seed Rockets team that nobody wants to face in April.