Thursday night in Minnesota produced the kind of basketball game that nobody watching it will forget in a hurry. The Timberwolves and Houston Rockets went to overtime in a grinding, chaotic, intensely competitive contest that was decided in the final seconds of the extra period, with Minnesota surviving 110-108 in a game that featured drama on every level including the ejection of Naz Reid and a flagrant foul call that added gasoline to an already burning fire.
The Reid ejection was the moment that sent the Target Center into a frenzy. The big man accumulated a technical foul during the contest and was ultimately ejected following a flagrant foul call, leaving the Wolves shorthanded in a critical stretch of what was already a pressure-cooker game. Teams absorbing an ejection to a key rotation player in overtime typically struggle to hold on. Minnesota found a way.
The hero of the evening on the Wolves’ side was Jaden McDaniels, who delivered 25 points on extraordinarily efficient shooting, going 10-of-17 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range while playing a brilliant two-way game with 2 steals and 2 blocks. Julius Randle contributed 24 points and 6 assists as the engine of Minnesota’s offense, absorbing significant defensive attention and creating opportunities for his teammates throughout regulation and overtime.
For Houston, Alperen Sengun was absolutely magnificent in a losing effort, posting 30 points on 12-of-22 shooting while adding 6 rebounds and 3 assists. The Turkish big man was the best player on the floor for significant stretches of the game, punishing Minnesota’s interior defenders with his footwork and skill. Jabari Smith Jr. added a double double with 16 points and 12 rebounds in support.
Rudy Gobert was the defensive anchor that kept Minnesota alive, finishing with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks, including crucial shot alterations in overtime that prevented Houston from completing the win. Minnesota wins 110-108 in what was an absolute war from start to finish. The Wolves are 44-28 and firmly in the Western playoff picture. And Naz Reid will be watching the film of his ejection with his coaches very soon.
