Timberwolves Julius Randle bullies Alperen Sengun for easy slam dunk

Published: Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 7:17 am

Randle's Dominant Performance Not Enough as Timberwolves Fall to Rockets

In a hard-fought contest, the Minnesota Timberwolves were defeated by the Houston Rockets with a final score of 110-105. Despite a standout performance from Julius Randle, the Timberwolves couldn't overcome the Rockets' late-game surge.

Randle, in his second season with the Timberwolves and 12th in the NBA, showcased his versatility, particularly in the absence of teammate Anthony Edwards. A highlight of the game came in the third quarter when Randle drove to the basket, overpowering Alperen Sengun and finishing with a powerful two-handed dunk.

Randle led the Timberwolves with an impressive stat line of 39 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a block. He shot efficiently, hitting 14 of 25 field goals, including two three-pointers, and nearly perfect from the free-throw line. Other key contributors for Minnesota included Naz Reid with 25 points, Jaden McDaniels with 15 points, and Rudy Gobert with a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The game remained close through three quarters, with Minnesota holding a narrow lead going into the fourth. However, Houston outscored the Timberwolves 29-23 in the final quarter to secure the victory.

The loss drops Minnesota's record to 27-15, placing them fourth in the Western Conference standings. They currently hold a 1.5-game lead over the Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, while trailing the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs by 1.5 games. The Timberwolves will look to rebound in their next game, remaining on the road against the Spurs.

BNN's Perspective: While Randle's individual performance was undeniably impressive, the Timberwolves' inability to close out the game highlights the importance of consistent team effort. The team will need to address their late-game execution to maintain their position in the competitive Western Conference.

Keywords: Julius Randle, Timberwolves, Rockets, Alperen Sengun, NBA, basketball, game, score, points, rebounds, assists, dunk, Western Conference, standings, loss, Houston, Minnesota, Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, Spurs

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