Kuminga fuels Timberwolves’ late push past Rockets

The Timberwolves took control late to defeat the Rockets 117-107 in Houston on November 4. Dosunmu led Minnesota with 21 points, while Kuminga scored 16 and grabbed eight rebounds. The loss was Houston’s second of the season.

With Minnesota ahead by two in the closing minutes, Kuminga hit a three-pointer, Dosunmu stole the ball and Kuminga followed with a basket to make it 111-104. Kevin Durant’s free throws briefly cut into the lead, but Kuminga answered with another three to put the game further out of reach.

The Timberwolves had trailed by two midway through the fourth quarter. LaMelo Ball then scored seven points in a 10-2 run that gave Minnesota a 104-98 advantage. Ball finished with 20 points, including 12 in the final quarter, and Jaden McDaniels added 14 points and eight rebounds.

Alperen Sengun recorded 17 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for Houston, earning his 13th career triple-double. Durant scored 21 points and Fred VanVleet had 18. Kuminga was assessed a flagrant 1 violation in quarter two for striking Sengun in the jaw with an elbow.

Minnesota played without Anthony Edwards, who is expected to miss up to two months following arthroscopic knee surgery, and Terrence Shannon Jr., sidelined by a bruised hip. The Timberwolves visit New Orleans on Friday; Houston visits Phoenix on Saturday.