HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets secured a much-needed victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning 121-115 on Friday night, as star players Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun led the charge with impressive performances.
This win marked the Rockets' first game back after the NBA All-Star break and was pivotal, pushing them 4.5 games clear of the seventh-seeded Timberwolves (31-26) and solidifying their position as fourth-seeded (35-21) contenders heading toward the playoffs. The victory also evened the season series at 2-2, which could prove useful for tiebreaker scenarios later.
Green not only topped the scoring charts with 35 points, but he also grabbed 5 rebounds and provided 4 assists. His shooting was efficient, with 12-of-24 from the floor (50.0%) and 5-of-11 from three-point range (45.5%). The standout performance exemplified Green's capability as the team's leading scorer. He reflects on the team's resilience and progress, saying, "The plan is getting back to what we were doing. It may have been fatigue or injuries [that held us back] before the All-Star break, but we’re trying to get back to doing what we do. And that's playing hard every night."
Joining him was Alperen Sengun, who contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds. His presence was felt throughout the game, showcasing his ability to support Green effectively on the court. Together with Amen Thompson, who recorded 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, the Rockets delivered on both ends of the floor.
Jabari Smith Jr., returning from injury after missing 22 games, added depth off the bench with 15 points and 9 rebounds, illustrating how his return can impact the team's performance moving forward. For the Rockets, who shot 50% collectively and drained 13 of 26 three-pointers, the synergy among key players became evident, and they displayed impressive teamwork against the Timberwolves.
Despite Houston's triumph, Minnesota's Anthony Edwards matched Green with 37 points, also showing his prowess on the court. Edwards shot 13-of-32, just below 41%, and struggled with long-range shooting at 4-of-14 from beyond the arc, as well as his team's defensive efforts against the Rockets. Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels provided support with 22 and 21 points, respectively, but it proved insufficient to overcome Houston's offensive execution.
The victory also holds strategic importance, as teams ranked seven through ten must go through the play-in tournament to compete for playoff positions. Therefore, Houston's capacity to maintain its footing is henceforth fundamental as they head toward the end of the 2024-25 season.
Limited by player injuries, the Timberwolves played without veteran center Rudy Gobert, whose absence due to low back spasms affected their lineup. Their depth untested, the team needed to battle through to improve their standings and prepare for future challenges, particularly against playoff-caliber teams.
What's next for the Rockets? They have another game on the horizon, continuing their road trip as they face the Utah Jazz, who will also be on the back end of consecutive games. The tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Central on Saturday, which will give Houston another opportunity to solidify their playoff aspirations.
The Rockets' response after being benched for poor performances leading up to the break would help resurrect their ambitions to return to playoff contention. With players like Jalen Green finding their rhythm and Alperen Sengun establishing himself as a solid contributor, Houston appears poised to capitalize on this momentum.