Despite Houston’s woes from the charity stripe, Durant’s 39-point outburst led the Rockets past an Anthony Edwards-less Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Houston Rockets may have struggled all night from the free-throw line, but with Kevin Durant taking over, none of that mattered.
Durant erupted for 39 points and led Houston to a 110-105 triumph over an Anthony Edwards-less Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, January 17 (PH time).
Houston struggled from the free-throw line, making just 20 of 34 attempts, with Alperen Sengun missing six of his nine shots from the stripe.
But the Rockets leaned on Durant once again, as his big scoring night brings him just 17 points shy of surpassing Dirk Nowitzki (35,560) for sixth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Sengun contributed a solid 25 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out late, while Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard added 14 points each.
Houston improved to 24-15 and now aims for back-to-back victories when they host the struggling New Orleans Pelicans (10-34).
For Minnesota, Julius Randle picked up the scoring slack with 39 points, as Edwards missed his second straight game due to a toe injury.
Former Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid added 25 points, but the Timberwolves fell to 27-15.
Minnesota will next travel to San Antonio to face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs (28-13).
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.