Deadspin | Donte DiVincenzo, Wolves end Rockets winning streak 
Apr 10, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Josh Okogie (20) attempts to score a basket as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) defends during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Donte DiVincenzo scored 11 of his 18 points to spark a fourth-quarter rally, and Terrrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 23 points off the bench as the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves snapped the host Houston Rockets’ eight-game winning streak with a 136-132 victory on Friday.
Anthony Edwards scored 22 points in his return after missing 10 of the previous 12 games, including a dagger 3-pointer with 50.5 seconds left that silenced the Rockets (51-30) for good.
Minnesota (48-33) played without starters Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert and sixth man Naz Reid and used a balanced attack to subdue the Rockets. Kyle Anderson paired 17 points with a game-high nine assists while Jaden McDaniels added 16 points and seven rebounds. Ayo Dosunmu chipped in 15 points off the bench while Mike Conley finished 3 for 3 from deep.
The Timberwolves shot 57.3% from the floor, including 15 of 30 from behind the arc.
Amen Thompson scored a career-high 41 points to pace the Rockets and added nine rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Durant posted 33 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Alperen Sengun totaled 22 points and eight assists. Houston scored 86 points in the paint.
Houston took its first double-digit lead at 91-81 on four Jabari Smith Jr. free throws, but the Timberwolves responded with a 15-4 run that included two Edwards treys and a transition 3 from Conley. DiVincenzo and Shannon then caught fire in the fourth to lift Minnesota to a 130-120 lead.
Durant and Thompson combined for 26 points on 12-for-14 shooting in the first quarter, but the Timberwolves carried a 37-36 lead into the second after converting three Houston turnovers into seven points and making 5 of 9 3-pointers. Shannon went 3 for 3 from deep to provide a spark.
The second quarter featured 11 ties and 11 lead changes. With Dosunmu penetrating with ease and Joan Beringer (14 points on 5-for-5 shooting) attacking the rim, the Timberwolves shredded the Rockets’ defense. But Houston countered by shooting 68.2% and posting 48 first-half paint points. Despite forcing seven turnovers by the intermission and shooting 56.5%, Minnesota trailed 73-69 at the break.
–Field Level Media
#Deadspin #Donte #DiVincenzo #Wolves #Rockets #winning #streak
Apr 10, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Josh Okogie (20) attempts to score a basket as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) defends during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Donte DiVincenzo scored 11 of his 18 points to spark a fourth-quarter rally, and Terrrence Shannon Jr. chipped in 23 points off the bench as the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves snapped the host Houston Rockets’ eight-game winning streak with a 136-132 victory on Friday.
Anthony Edwards scored 22 points in his return after missing 10 of the previous 12 games, including a dagger 3-pointer with 50.5 seconds left that silenced the Rockets (51-30) for good.
Minnesota (48-33) played without starters Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert and sixth man Naz Reid and used a balanced attack to subdue the Rockets. Kyle Anderson paired 17 points with a game-high nine assists while Jaden McDaniels added 16 points and seven rebounds. Ayo Dosunmu chipped in 15 points off the bench while Mike Conley finished 3 for 3 from deep.
The Timberwolves shot 57.3% from the floor, including 15 of 30 from behind the arc.
Amen Thompson scored a career-high 41 points to pace the Rockets and added nine rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Durant posted 33 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Alperen Sengun totaled 22 points and eight assists. Houston scored 86 points in the paint.
Houston took its first double-digit lead at 91-81 on four Jabari Smith Jr. free throws, but the Timberwolves responded with a 15-4 run that included two Edwards treys and a transition 3 from Conley. DiVincenzo and Shannon then caught fire in the fourth to lift Minnesota to a 130-120 lead.
Durant and Thompson combined for 26 points on 12-for-14 shooting in the first quarter, but the Timberwolves carried a 37-36 lead into the second after converting three Houston turnovers into seven points and making 5 of 9 3-pointers. Shannon went 3 for 3 from deep to provide a spark.
The second quarter featured 11 ties and 11 lead changes. With Dosunmu penetrating with ease and Joan Beringer (14 points on 5-for-5 shooting) attacking the rim, the Timberwolves shredded the Rockets’ defense. But Houston countered by shooting 68.2% and posting 48 first-half paint points. Despite forcing seven turnovers by the intermission and shooting 56.5%, Minnesota trailed 73-69 at the break.
–Field Level Media
![Deadspin | Japan’s Kei Nishikori retiring from tennis after 2026 season Aug 8, 2025; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kei Nishikori (JPN) serves against Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) during the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images Kei Nishikori, once ranked as high as No. 4 in the world, will retire from tennis at the end of the 2026 season. The 36-year-old Japanese trailblazer made the announcement Thursday via social media. “Since I was a child, I have been passionate about tennis and I have continued to pursue it with only one dream in my heart: ‘I want to compete on the world stage.’ Reaching the ATP Tour, playing at the highest level of competition, and maintaining a presence in the Top 10 is something I am extremely proud of,” he posted to X. “Whether in victory or defeat, the special atmosphere I felt in packed arenas is irreplaceable.” Nishikori was the first Japanese man to be ranked in the top 10 in the world. He has won 12 titles, 451 tour matches and just over $26 million on the ATP Tour. It was March 2, 2015, when Nishikori was ranked No. 4 amid tennis’ brightest stars. That week, Novak Djokovic was No. 1, followed by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. After Nishikori, at No. 5, was Andy Murray. Those four opponents combined to win 69 Grand Slam titles. Nishikori never won one, with his best result coming in 2014 when he defeated Djokovic to reach the U.S. Open final, which he lost to Marin Cilic of Croatia. Nishikori has competed this season in ATP Challenger events. His most recent ATP Tour event came in 2025 at Cincinnati. “My love for tennis and my belief that I could become a stronger player always brought me back to the court. I feel that all of these experiences have enriched and shaped my life. I am deeply grateful [for] my family and to everyone who has supported me at all times,” Nishikori wrote. “To be honest, I still wish I could continue my playing career. Even so, looking back on everything up to this point, I can proudly say that I gave it my all. “I am truly happy to have walked this path. I will cherish every moment of the remaining matches and fight to the very end.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Japans #Kei #Nishikori #retiring #tennis #season](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/26805807.jpg "Deadspin | Japan’s Kei Nishikori retiring from tennis after 2026 season Aug 8, 2025; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kei Nishikori (JPN) serves against Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) during the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images Kei Nishikori, once ranked as high as No. 4 in the world, will retire from tennis at the end of the 2026 season. The 36-year-old Japanese trailblazer made the announcement Thursday via social media. “Since I was a child, I have been passionate about tennis and I have continued to pursue it with only one dream in my heart: ‘I want to compete on the world stage.’ Reaching the ATP Tour, playing at the highest level of competition, and maintaining a presence in the Top 10 is something I am extremely proud of,” he posted to X. “Whether in victory or defeat, the special atmosphere I felt in packed arenas is irreplaceable.” Nishikori was the first Japanese man to be ranked in the top 10 in the world. He has won 12 titles, 451 tour matches and just over $26 million on the ATP Tour. It was March 2, 2015, when Nishikori was ranked No. 4 amid tennis’ brightest stars. That week, Novak Djokovic was No. 1, followed by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. After Nishikori, at No. 5, was Andy Murray. Those four opponents combined to win 69 Grand Slam titles. Nishikori never won one, with his best result coming in 2014 when he defeated Djokovic to reach the U.S. Open final, which he lost to Marin Cilic of Croatia. Nishikori has competed this season in ATP Challenger events. His most recent ATP Tour event came in 2025 at Cincinnati. “My love for tennis and my belief that I could become a stronger player always brought me back to the court. I feel that all of these experiences have enriched and shaped my life. I am deeply grateful [for] my family and to everyone who has supported me at all times,” Nishikori wrote. “To be honest, I still wish I could continue my playing career. Even so, looking back on everything up to this point, I can proudly say that I gave it my all. “I am truly happy to have walked this path. I will cherish every moment of the remaining matches and fight to the very end.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Japans #Kei #Nishikori #retiring #tennis #season")
![Deadspin | Japan’s Kei Nishikori retiring from tennis after 2026 season Aug 8, 2025; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kei Nishikori (JPN) serves against Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) during the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images Kei Nishikori, once ranked as high as No. 4 in the world, will retire from tennis at the end of the 2026 season. The 36-year-old Japanese trailblazer made the announcement Thursday via social media. “Since I was a child, I have been passionate about tennis and I have continued to pursue it with only one dream in my heart: ‘I want to compete on the world stage.’ Reaching the ATP Tour, playing at the highest level of competition, and maintaining a presence in the Top 10 is something I am extremely proud of,” he posted to X. “Whether in victory or defeat, the special atmosphere I felt in packed arenas is irreplaceable.” Nishikori was the first Japanese man to be ranked in the top 10 in the world. He has won 12 titles, 451 tour matches and just over $26 million on the ATP Tour. It was March 2, 2015, when Nishikori was ranked No. 4 amid tennis’ brightest stars. That week, Novak Djokovic was No. 1, followed by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. After Nishikori, at No. 5, was Andy Murray. Those four opponents combined to win 69 Grand Slam titles. Nishikori never won one, with his best result coming in 2014 when he defeated Djokovic to reach the U.S. Open final, which he lost to Marin Cilic of Croatia. Nishikori has competed this season in ATP Challenger events. His most recent ATP Tour event came in 2025 at Cincinnati. “My love for tennis and my belief that I could become a stronger player always brought me back to the court. I feel that all of these experiences have enriched and shaped my life. I am deeply grateful [for] my family and to everyone who has supported me at all times,” Nishikori wrote. “To be honest, I still wish I could continue my playing career. Even so, looking back on everything up to this point, I can proudly say that I gave it my all. “I am truly happy to have walked this path. I will cherish every moment of the remaining matches and fight to the very end.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Japans #Kei #Nishikori #retiring #tennis #season](https://i1.wp.com/images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/26805807.jpg?ssl=1 "Deadspin | Japan’s Kei Nishikori retiring from tennis after 2026 season Aug 8, 2025; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kei Nishikori (JPN) serves against Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) during the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images Kei Nishikori, once ranked as high as No. 4 in the world, will retire from tennis at the end of the 2026 season. The 36-year-old Japanese trailblazer made the announcement Thursday via social media. “Since I was a child, I have been passionate about tennis and I have continued to pursue it with only one dream in my heart: ‘I want to compete on the world stage.’ Reaching the ATP Tour, playing at the highest level of competition, and maintaining a presence in the Top 10 is something I am extremely proud of,” he posted to X. “Whether in victory or defeat, the special atmosphere I felt in packed arenas is irreplaceable.” Nishikori was the first Japanese man to be ranked in the top 10 in the world. He has won 12 titles, 451 tour matches and just over $26 million on the ATP Tour. It was March 2, 2015, when Nishikori was ranked No. 4 amid tennis’ brightest stars. That week, Novak Djokovic was No. 1, followed by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. After Nishikori, at No. 5, was Andy Murray. Those four opponents combined to win 69 Grand Slam titles. Nishikori never won one, with his best result coming in 2014 when he defeated Djokovic to reach the U.S. Open final, which he lost to Marin Cilic of Croatia. Nishikori has competed this season in ATP Challenger events. His most recent ATP Tour event came in 2025 at Cincinnati. “My love for tennis and my belief that I could become a stronger player always brought me back to the court. I feel that all of these experiences have enriched and shaped my life. I am deeply grateful [for] my family and to everyone who has supported me at all times,” Nishikori wrote. “To be honest, I still wish I could continue my playing career. Even so, looking back on everything up to this point, I can proudly say that I gave it my all. “I am truly happy to have walked this path. I will cherish every moment of the remaining matches and fight to the very end.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Japans #Kei #Nishikori #retiring #tennis #season")
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