Timberwolves Engineer Unforgettable Overtime Rally to Topple Rockets
In a breathtaking display of resilience, the Minnesota Timberwolves orchestrated a miraculous 15-0 closing run in overtime to secure a 110-108 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. The dramatic finish, which unfolded on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Philippine time, saw Julius Randle deliver the decisive go-ahead jumper with a mere 8.8 seconds remaining, capping off an extraordinary comeback that will be etched in NBA lore.
A Comeback for the Ages
According to the Associated Press, the Timberwolves' feat marks the largest comeback in an overtime period since detailed play-by-play tracking commenced in 1997. Minnesota astonishingly erased a 13-point deficit in the extra frame, showcasing sheer determination against a formidable Rockets squad. Randle, who scored all 24 of his points after halftime, was instrumental in the rally, though his night included a critical foul on Kevin Durant with 3.3 seconds left.
Durant, who alongside Alperen Sengun tallied 30 points each, had sparked a 12-0 run late in the fourth quarter to give Houston the lead after trailing by 11 with just 3½ minutes remaining. The Rockets, now 43-29, then surged ahead by scoring the first 13 points of overtime, seemingly putting the game out of reach. However, the Timberwolves responded with an unstoppable 15-0 burst to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Key Moments and Player Performances
In a twist of fate, after Houston opened the game with a perfect 23-for-23 performance from the free-throw line, Durant missed his first attempt short following Randle's foul. He intentionally missed the second in a bid to extend the possession, but the Rockets failed to get off a final shot, sealing their fate. Durant, despite struggling early and going 2-for-11 before halftime, made history by passing Dirk Nowitzki for eighth place on the NBA's all-time regular-season field goals list with 11,177, as reported by the AP.
For Minnesota, Jaden McDaniels led the team with 25 points before exiting with an apparent leg injury. The Timberwolves, who improved to 10-5 this season without Anthony Edwards, faced additional adversity late in the game. Naz Reid was ejected, Rudy Gobert fouled out, and Ayo Dosunmu was sidelined by a sore calf, yet the team persevered. Gobert finished with a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Reid added 14 points and 13 boards for the Timberwolves, who now stand at 45-28.
Around the League: High-Scoring Affairs and Close Contests
Elsewhere in the NBA, a slew of high-octane games captivated fans. The Philadelphia 76ers dominated the Chicago Bulls 157-137, while the Los Angeles Lakers edged out the Indiana Pacers 137-130. In another overtime thriller, the Atlanta Hawks narrowly defeated the Detroit Pistons 130-129. The Boston Celtics secured a 119-109 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the San Antonio Spurs routed the Memphis Grizzlies 123-98.
Additional results included the Miami Heat topping the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-103, the Washington Wizards defeating the Utah Jazz 133-110, and the Portland Trail Blazers routing the Milwaukee Bucks 130-99. The Denver Nuggets outlasted the Dallas Mavericks 142-135, the Los Angeles Clippers downed the Toronto Raptors 119-94, and the Golden State Warriors edged the Brooklyn Nets 109-106 in a tightly contested matchup.
