Dosunmu and Kuminga Spark Late Surge as Timberwolves Hand Rockets First Home Loss 117-107

The Minnesota Timberwolves showed they can win without their best player, rallying late to beat the Houston Rockets 117-107 on Wednesday night in Houston. Ayo Dosunmu led the way with 21 points, six assists and two steals, while Jonathan Kuminga powered the decisive stretch with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Minnesota trailed 84-82 entering the fourth quarter, but Kuminga buried a three-pointer, Dosunmu came up with a steal, and Kuminga added a tip-in to make it 111-104 with about two minutes remaining. Another Kuminga three stretched the lead to 114-106 in the final minute. LaMelo Ball added 20 points, 12 of them in the fourth quarter, and Bones Hyland chipped in 19 off the bench as the Timberwolves improved to 6-3. Jaden McDaniels finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Houston, which fell to 7-2, was led by Alperen Sengun, who recorded his 13th career triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Kevin Durant scored 21 points and Fred VanVleet added 18, but the Rockets could not hold off Minnesota's late surge and lost at home for the first time this season.