The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Houston Rockets 117-107 at Toyota Center on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, handing Houston its first home loss of the season and improving to 6-3 without injured All-Star Anthony Edwards. The Rockets, previously unbeaten at home, fell to 7-2 despite a 10-point first quarter from Kevin Durant.
This result lands with weight in the Western Conference race because the Timberwolves must sustain this level of offensive pace while Edwards recovers from knee surgery expected to sideline him until late December, and the Rockets must correct the turnover issues that produced 33 Minnesota points off giveaways, according to nba.com.
Timberwolves, without Anthony Edwards, hand the Rockets their second loss of the season. Ball, Kuminga, Gobert all major in the fourth. Bones with 19 off the bench. Dosunmu leads the way with 21 points.
— https://x.com/JonKrawczynski/status/2118193247931478247
Ball Leads Rockets’ Unexpected Upset
- LaMelo Ball scored 34 points and made six 3-pointers while Anthony Edwards is sidelined.
- Reed Sheppard recorded three steals and 14 first-half points with Clint Capela and Steven Adams sidelined.
- The Rockets entered as 9.5-point favorites and lost outright.
- The over/under for the game was set at 224.5 points.
How Did the Timberwolves Win Without Anthony Edwards?
Minnesota leaned into more pace and high-volume perimeter shooting to offset Anthony Edwards’s 33.3-point-per-game average. The Timberwolves connected on 43% of their three-pointers while Houston managed only 35%. Coach Chris Finch said, “We’ve been emphasizing it even more so,” adding, “Sometimes, when you look at these pace numbers, you don’t have a clearer feel for what they’re measuring.” Bones Hyland also shot 4-of-7 from three-point range.
What Decided the Game at Toyota Center?
The game was tied 57-57 at halftime after a chaotic, fast-paced opening two quarters. Reed Sheppard set the tone early with three steals and 14 first-half points, converting defensive activity into immediate offense. Kevin Durant opened with 10 first-quarter points but committed his third personal foul in the opening period, limiting his floor time and Houston’s offensive rhythm. Durant’s early outburst felt personal, directed at recent criticism regarding his low shot volume. Sheppard added three 3-pointers to his first-half total. Minnesota struggled at the free-throw line, connecting on just 10-of-19 attempts (53%), with Rudy Gobert making only 2-of-6.
LAMELO BALL was PERFECT from the floor in the 4Q! 🐺 12 PTS 🐺 4/4 FGM 🐺 8 MIN He finished the game with 20 PTS as the @Timberwolves secure the victory in Houston! pic.twitter.com/K1HBnnWDdC
— https://x.com/NBA/status/2118197997745914323
Which Players Delivered in the 117-107 Finish?
LaMelo Ball poured in 34 points and made six 3-pointers, pairing with Ayo Dosunmu’s 19 points, eight assists and 12 rebounds to form a dynamic backcourt. Ball praised his teammate’s speed, saying, “I like to play fast, and he’s faster than no other…”
Houston had six players score in double figures. MINNESOTA outscored Houston 54-40 in the paint and 19-7 on fast-break points.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 33 | 24 | 25 | 35 | 117 |
| Houston Rockets | 30 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 107 |
Injuries Force Key Player Rotations
The Timberwolves are without Edwards (knee), Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) and Terrence Shannon Jr. (hip), per ABC13 Houston, forcing continued reliance on the Ball-Dosunmu pairing. Houston is also without Clint Capela (ankle) and Steven Adams (calf).
What Happens Next for Houston and Minnesota?
The Rockets have two days off before traveling to Phoenix to face the Suns on Saturday, November 7. Last season, the Rockets finished 52-30 overall and 29-23 in the Western Conference, averaging 115.2 points per game.
Fans can catch games live and on demand through NBA League Pass, with Houston’s tilt against Phoenix scheduled for Saturday, November 7.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
