The Minnesota Timberwolves erased a massive overtime deficit and defeated the Houston Rockets 110-108 on Wednesday night at Target Center after a dramatic finish capped by Julius Randle’s go-ahead jumper.
Randle knocked down the decisive shot with 8.8 seconds remaining, completing a stunning 15-0 run that closed the overtime period.
Minnesota’s rally came after Houston scored the first 13 points in overtime, putting the Timberwolves on the brink before the late surge flipped the game.
The comeback marked the largest overtime deficit erased since detailed NBA play-by-play tracking began in 1997.
Randle finished with 24 points, all scored after halftime, while adding six assists and six rebounds across 42 minutes.
Minnesota’s comeback ended in tense fashion when Randle fouled Kevin Durant on a drive with 3.3 seconds remaining.
Houston had been perfect from the line to that point, starting 23-for-23 on free throws.
Durant missed the first attempt short, then intentionally missed the second to try to create a rebound opportunity, but the Rockets were unable to attempt a final shot.
Durant led Houston with 30 points and moved into eighth place on the NBA’s all-time regular-season field goals list, passing Dirk Nowitzki with his 11,177th made basket.
Alperen Sengun also scored 30 points for Houston while adding six rebounds and four blocks.
The Rockets’ star duo combined for a critical late push in regulation, leading a 12-0 run that erased an 11-point deficit with about three and a half minutes remaining.
Houston then controlled the early portion of overtime before Minnesota’s historic comeback unfolded.
Jaden McDaniels led the Timberwolves in scoring with 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting before leaving late with an apparent leg injury.
Minnesota relied heavily on its depth due to several absences and in-game setbacks.
Rudy Gobert recorded 14 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks but fouled out late.
Naz Reid added 14 points and 13 rebounds before being ejected after arguing a call with officials.
The Timberwolves also played without star guard Anthony Edwards and guard Ayo Dosunmu, who was unavailable because of a sore calf.
Despite those absences, Minnesota shot 42 percent from the field and outrebounded Houston 49-54 in a physical matchup that featured 27 assists by the home team.
Donte DiVincenzo contributed 17 points, hitting five three-pointers to stretch the defense.
Mike Conley added six assists, helping organize the offense during Minnesota’s late rally.
Houston finished with balanced production behind Durant, Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr., who recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Amen Thompson nearly posted a triple-double with 11 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
Minnesota improved to 45-28 and remained just a half-game behind the Denver Nuggets for fourth place in the Western Conference playoff race. Houston dropped to 43-29 and sits sixth in the conference standings.
The Rockets will travel to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. Minnesota returns home Saturday to host the Detroit Pistons.
