Timberwolves Top Rockets in Playoff Seeding Battle

Anthony Edwards returns to lead balanced Minnesota attack against Houston stars

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:14am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in motion, with overlapping shapes and planes of blue, green, red, and white, capturing the dynamic energy of the Timberwolves-Rockets matchup.The Timberwolves' balanced attack and defensive resilience against the Rockets' stars showcase their playoff readiness.Denver Today

The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a key win over the Houston Rockets, showcasing a balanced offensive effort led by the return of star guard Anthony Edwards. Despite 41 points from Rockets guard Amen Thompson and 33 from Kevin Durant, the Timberwolves prevailed behind strong performances from Terrence Shannon Jr., Kyle Anderson, and rookie Joan Beringer.

Why it matters

The Timberwolves' victory provides valuable insight into their potential first-round playoff opponent, with the Nuggets and Lakers still vying for the final seeding spots. Minnesota's ability to contain high-scoring opponents and win close games demonstrates their postseason readiness.

The details

Terrence Shannon Jr. had a career-high 23 points, Kyle Anderson contributed 17 points and 9 assists, and rookie Joan Beringer shot a perfect 5-for-5 with 14 points. Jaden McDaniels, Donte DiVincenzo, and Ayo Dosunmu also scored in double figures, showcasing the Timberwolves' depth and versatility. The Rockets' stars, Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant, scored 41 and 33 points respectively, but the Timberwolves' balanced attack prevailed.

  • The Timberwolves have secured the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
  • The Rockets scenario is eliminated, leaving the Nuggets or Lakers as potential first-round opponents for Minnesota.

The players

Anthony Edwards

The star guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who returned to the lineup for this key game against the Rockets.

Amen Thompson

The Houston Rockets' guard who scored 41 points in the loss to the Timberwolves.

Kevin Durant

The veteran forward for the Houston Rockets, who scored 33 points in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out and play our game, regardless of who was on the other side. The guys stepped up and made it happen.”

— Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves Guard

What’s next

The Timberwolves' first-round opponent will be determined by the outcomes of the final regular season games. If the Nuggets beat the Spurs on Sunday, they will face the Timberwolves in the first round. If the Lakers beat the Jazz and the Nuggets lose, the Lakers will be Minnesota's opponent.

The takeaway

The Timberwolves' balanced attack and ability to contain high-scoring opponents like the Rockets demonstrate their readiness for the playoffs. With Anthony Edwards back in the lineup, Minnesota has the talent and depth to make a deep postseason run, regardless of their first-round opponent.