Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Takeaways: Timberwolves stifle Rockets as Anthony Edwards outduels Jalen Green

Rockets Jalen Green Anthony Edwards Timberwolves MIN Minnesota (Organization) Alperen Sengun Cam Whitmore Sarge Houston (Organization)

In Sunday’s opener of a four-game road trip, the Rockets simply didn’t have the firepower to keep up with Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves in a 111-90 blowout loss (box score) at Minnesota. As a team, Houston shot just 31-of-88 from the field (35.2%) at Target Center and was out-rebounded by a commanding 58-41 margin.

The Timberwolves (35-15) are still tied for first place in the Western Conference, while Houston (23-26) is now a game behind Utah (25-26) for the No. 10 spot in the West standings — and with it, what will eventually be the final play-in tournament berth.

Edwards led the Timberwolves with 32 points, shooting 11-of-22 from the field and 4-of-8 on 3-pointers (50.0%). Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert controlled the paint with a game-high 13 rebounds and 4 blocks, and Minnesota was a game-best +32 in his 31 minutes.

With 14 points off the bench, emerging rookie Cam Whitmore scored in double figures for the Rockets in a seventh straight game. He shot just 4-of-13 from the field (30.8%) against Minnesota’s defense, though he did make 3-of-8 from 3-point range (37.5%).

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 15 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 7-of-14 from the field (50.0%) while making his lone 3-pointer. Coming off a recent hot stretch, the script was flipped for Jalen Green, who scored just 8 points on 3-of-15 shooting (20.0%), including 0-of-5 from 3-point range. He did have a team-high 7 assists.

Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) remained out due to injury, though Houston is hopeful he will return this week.

Here’s our look at Sunday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. As the road trip continues with its second stop, next up for Houston is Tuesday’s game at Indiana (27-23), where tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. Central.

Feb. 4 Rockets-Timberwolves reaction

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
“One of the most important guitars in rock and roll history”: George Harrison’s Futurama smashes auction estimate and sets a new record with staggering $1.27 million sale
The oddball electric – which was used during the Beatles’ early years, and saw action in over 300 historic shows – becomes the most expensive electric guitar formerly owned by a Beatle to sell at auction
Guitar World
Guitar World
Keke Palmer: I'm living life on my own terms
Keke Palmer has revealed that she feels proud to be living life "on [her] own terms".
BANG Premier
BANG Premier
Crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun buys $6 million banana—and plans to eat it unless Elon Musk wants to send it to space
Sun outbid six others for the iconic work.
Fortune
Fortune
Paul Simon names the fan-favorite song he’ll never perform again
The folk rock icon said his hearing loss has limited the songs he can perform live
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
“We’re doing my first-ever gig with Nirvana on SNL. What I didn’t know was there was a discussion about my guitar like, ‘No, we can’t let him on stage’”: Pat Smear’s first Nirvana appearance almost didn’t happen – because of his guitar
Smear had bought a 1982 Charvel when he was playing with Nina Hagen – but the guitar didn't quite impress the Nirvana troupe
Guitar World
Guitar World
"Worm": Keith Lee shuts down sushi joint
FOB Sushi Bar has closed its Bellevue and Seattle restaurant locations
Salon
Salon
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play