By Matthew T.F. Harrington

AP photo Timberwolves Andrew Wiggins passes past Kings Ben McLemore

The Sacramento Kings nearly overcame a dominant performance by the NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year, but instead Andrew Wiggins and the Minnesota Timberwolves took the 99-95 victory at home Friday night.

Despite holding the Timberwolves to only one basket on their first 10 shots in the fourth, the Kings (10-16) couldn’t complete the comeback in the fourth quarter. They trailed 83-77 but held Minnesota to only one basket in the first 7 minutes of the final quarter then pulled ahead 90-89 with 3:03 left to play. Wiggins and Spaniard Ricky Rubio combined for 10 points down the stretch on one field goal and 8 free throws. The Kings only scored 5 points to end up on the losing end and give Minnesota (10-16) just its second win in the last 10 games.

Wiggins collected a game-high 32 points and 10 rebounds to notch the double-double while passing out 6 assists. Kings center DeMarcus Cousins grabbed a double-double of his own with 24 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Rajon Rondo returned from his suspension for using a gay slur against referee Bill Kennedy, who later announced he is gay. The Kings guard scored 11 points with 13 assists for his double-double.

Things don’t get any easier for the Kings. They face the Toronto Raptors Sunday afternoon in the North.