Alperen Sengun’s triple-double powered the Houston Rockets to a 117-111 overtime victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves in an NBA Cup game Tuesday night. The Turkish big man delivered 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, cementing his impact on both ends of the floor.
Fred VanVleet added 27 points and 11 assists, while Dillon Brooks contributed 22 points as Houston improved to 3-0 in the NBA Cup. The win secured their spot in the quarterfinals and clinched West Group A.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 29 points and 10 rebounds, but Minnesota fell short in its third consecutive loss. Naz Reid provided a spark off the bench with 19 points, and Julius Randle added 21 points and six rebounds.
The game remained tight throughout, with neither team seizing control in regulation. With the score tied at 105 in the final seconds of regulation, Rudy Gobert blocked Sengun’s potential game-winning layup, forcing overtime. Edwards had a chance to win it for Minnesota but missed a contested jumper.
Houston relied on strong defensive plays, forcing 17 turnovers that resulted in 16 points. The Rockets also dominated from beyond the arc, shooting 40.5% (15-for-37), including 10-for-18 in the first half to build an early lead.
Minnesota struggled to convert from deep, hitting only 23.7% of its three-point attempts. Edwards and Randle combined for a disappointing 3-for-13 from beyond the arc.
Rookie Rob Dillingham stepped up for the Timberwolves in Mike Conley’s absence, recording a season-high seven assists along with 12 points and five rebounds. Despite his contributions, the Timberwolves were unable to close out key moments, allowing Houston to capitalize on critical possessions in overtime.
Amen Thompson provided valuable minutes off the Rockets’ bench, tallying 15 points, eight rebounds, and four steals. Houston’s defensive intensity was evident with 12 steals and nine blocks, including three from Sengun.
The loss highlighted ongoing struggles for the Timberwolves, who have been outpaced in back-to-back losses and now sit at 8-9. Houston, meanwhile, improved to 13-6, extending their impressive start to the season under head coach Ime Udoka.
