NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden had 38 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, already tying the Nets’ single-season record with his 12th triple-double in just 32 games, and Brooklyn held off the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-107 on Monday night.
Kyrie Irving added 27 points in his return after missing the three-game road trip last week for family reasons. He started fast, but Harden did the biggest work late, with 13 points in the final period.
Hall of Famer Jason Kidd had 12 triple-doubles for the Nets in both the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.
The Nets won for the 18th time in 21 games, even as they continue a lengthy stretch without Kevin Durant because of a strained left hamstring. They don’t yet have LaMarcus Aldridge, who signed Sunday but needs to get back in shape after being inactive the last month.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 31 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Rookie Anthony Edwards had 23 points and 10 boards, but missed a free throw that could have tied it in the final minute and then a short jumper that could have given Minnesota the lead.
Brooklyn led by 17 and was ahead most of the way, but Edwards had a basket while being fouled to cut it to 108-107 with 58 seconds to play. The free throw just fell out, and after his missed jumper, Harden made two free throws and then Irving hit two more to put it away.
Irving was 6 for 7 for 15 points in the first quarter, when the Nets shot 70% en route to a 37-25 lead. Brooklyn managed only 24 points in the second as Minnesota cut a 17-point deficit to 61-52 at halftime.
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