James Harden put up 38 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds as the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-107. This was Harden’s 12th triple-double in a Nets uniform, which ties Jason Kidd for most triple-doubles in a season in Nets history.
“He’s our leader and he’s meant a lot to us,” Nets coach Steve Nash said. “Another triple-double and you can’t take it for granted, but you tend to, a little bit, because he’s able to pull these out of a hat almost every night.”
The Nets started off hot in this game, as Kyrie Irving poured in 15 of his 27 points in the first quarter and built a lead as many as 17 early in the second. However, the Timberwolves showed resilience and managed to make it a nine-point game heading into halftime.
Minnesota was outscored by just one point in the third but really made things interesting in the fourth, as Karl-Anthony Towns scored 14 points in the period, coming at times that afforded the Nets little breathing room.
After Towns’ three-pointer with 1:55 left in the game, Ricky Rubio intercepted a pass on the other end and got it to Jaden McDaniels in transition for the floater to make it a five-point game.
Anthony Edwards then narrowed the gap with four points of his own including a pick-pocket steal at halfcourt which led to the layup on the fastbreak and the foul. With an opportunity to tie things up with a made free-throw, Edwards’ attempt clanked off the rim.
With the Nets failing to widen the gap on the other end, Edwards had an opportunity to redeem himself. However, Edwards couldn’t get the floater to go off the drive from the left-wing that would’ve put Minnesota up by one.
Harden and Irving then proceeded to ice the game with a pair of free-throws apiece.
While the Nets won this game, what can’t be ignored is the heart and grit the Timberwolves showed in this game. They gave a legitimate championship contender a run for their money.
Towns finished with 31 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Edwards had 23 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
Father-Son Moment
Towns’ father, Karl Towns Sr., was in attendance to see his son in action. Towns Jr. was born in Edison, N.J. and raised in nearby Piscataway.
A very powerful image of a true father-son bond. This was Towns Sr.’s first time seeing his son play in person since the passing of his wife Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, as she died last April due to complications of COVID-19.
Continued thoughts go out to the Towns family. There are many people around the tri-state area and around the basketball community that are rooting for you, KAT.
