HOUSTON — In a thrilling matchup on Friday night, the Houston Rockets secured a victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a final score of 121-115, showcasing standout performances from key players.
Jalen Green was a major contributor for the Rockets, scoring an impressive 35 points while hitting 12 of his 24 field goal attempts and sinking 5 of 11 shots from beyond the arc. Alperen Sengun provided valuable support with 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Houston displayed excellent shooting throughout the game, finishing with a 50% shooting percentage, including 13 successful three-pointers out of 26 attempts.
Amen Thompson also had a solid game, posting 17 points along with 10 rebounds and six assists. Another notable return was Jabari Smith Jr, who came off the bench to score 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds in his first game back after a 22-game absence due to a broken bone in his left hand.
On the opposing side, Anthony Edwards shined for the Timberwolves, netting a staggering 37 points on 13-of-32 shooting, along with a 4-for-14 performance from three-point range. He was particularly effective in the first half, where he scored 25 points on 8-of-15 shooting and connected on 3 of 7 three-pointers. Other contributors for Minnesota included Naz Reid with 22 points and eight rebounds, Jaden McDaniels who added 21 points, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributing 16 points. The Timberwolves managed to shoot 45% from the floor but struggled with their long-range shooting, hitting just 11 of 39 attempts from three-point territory.
In terms of key takeaways, the Timberwolves welcomed back Mike Conley, who had missed the previous four games due to a sprained right index finger; however, his impact was limited as he spent much of the game in foul trouble, finishing with only five points in 24 minutes. The Rockets benefited from Jabari Smith’s return, particularly in rebounding where they outperformed the Timberwolves with a total of 48 boards compared to Minnesota’s 35.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when the score was tied at 108. Jalen Green hit a crucial three-pointer with five minutes remaining, igniting a 9-2 run that allowed Houston to take a seven-point lead with just 48 seconds left on the clock.
A key statistic from the game highlighted Edwards’ struggles in the fourth quarter; he managed only 3 points on 1-of-6 shooting, including 1-for-4 beyond the arc, as the Rockets applied double-teams to limit his scoring opportunities.
Looking ahead, the Timberwolves will be back in action as they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night, while the Rockets are set to travel to face the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
