HOUSTON — The short-handed and overachieving Rockets (17-16) were no match for the Western Conference’s best team by record, the Minnesota Timberwolves (25-9), in Friday night’s resounding 122-95 loss (box score) at Toyota Center.
Likely All-Star guard Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 24 points, while Karl Anthony-Towns added 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Rockets were again missing two of their best defenders in Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) and Tari Eason (sore left leg).
Brooks is expected to miss at least one more game, though the Rockets are hopeful that Eason could return Saturday.
Jalen Green led the Rockets with 20 points in 31 minutes, shooting 4-of-8 from 3-point range (50.0%). Alperen Sengun added 19 points and 5 rebounds on 8-of-17 shooting (47.1%), with Rudy Gobert (13 points, 12 rebounds) largely holding Sengun in check after a fast start.
Led by Towns and Gobert, the larger Timberwolves had their way on the glass with a 59-45 rebounding advantage. Between that edge and a 14-of-33 night from 3-point range (42.4%) for the Timberwolves as a team, there was little the Rockets could do to flip the script.
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. The homestand concludes Saturday versus Milwaukee (25-10), with tipoff at 7:00 p.m. Central.
Jan. 5 Rockets-Timberwolves reaction
I’m not even remotely concerned. We’re not making enough of a deal out of how huge the absence of both Dillon and Tari is, our two most physical, all-around defensive wings.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) January 6, 2024
"It felt like our worst game of the year in a lot of aspects," added Udoka.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 6, 2024
Ime Udoka on how the Timberwolves slowed down Alperen Sengun: "Just had a good defender (Gobert) on him and he didn't win that matchup tonight."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 6, 2024
Yeah, call it. It's disappointing to lose by this much but it is what it is.
The starters couldn't beat the Timberwolves starters and the bench couldn't hold up whatsoever. Hopefully things look different with Dillon, Tari, and with the Rockets ready for Minny's play.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 6, 2024
In fairness they are absolutely huge and we had a 6 foot point guard and 6'4 small forward and a skinny second year pf what did he expect https://t.co/XgbXhJMwlw
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) January 6, 2024
Jalen Green led the #Rockets tonight with 20 points@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/H8qn6kdm3Q
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 6, 2024
Alperen Sengun 19 PTS / 5 REB tonight vs MIN@HoustonRockets I #Rockets pic.twitter.com/jXIOMq1XNy
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 6, 2024
#Rockets highlight of the night provided by Cam Whitmore
The @HoustonRockets rookie tonight vs MIN
15 MIN / 11 PTS / 2 REB / 2 STL pic.twitter.com/g6gaJ2JBSG— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 6, 2024
Ime Udoka on Fred VanVleet, after a late injury, going to the table to check back into the game but was called back by Ime.
"He didn't do a 'Wemby'." pic.twitter.com/SvsU1Mo2xO
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 6, 2024
#Rockets really missed Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason. https://t.co/DuXqrAC1cx
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) January 6, 2024
FINAL: Minnesota 122, #Rockets 95
Bit of rude awakening for Houston down two key rotation players. Alperen Şengün started hot then cooled off. I thought Rudy Gobert was the best player on the floor tonight.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks come to Toyota Center tomorrow.
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) January 6, 2024
This is harsh 👇
TWolves = best D in NBA because they have more height than anybody. Because of injuries, Rockets played 2 inexperienced rookies a lot. Rockets looked like the young team they are & TWolves aren't young + Wolves hit lots of tough contested shots & made 42% from 3 https://t.co/Um0kaBbOJs— Robert Land | Houston Sports Talk Podcast Host (@HSTPodcast) January 6, 2024
Timeline is upset the Rockets are too small. If Tari/Brooks are healthy (& Tari doesn't have longterm injury), they could've run out this lineup
6'11 Sengun
6'11 Jabari
6'8 Tari
6'6 Brooks
6'0 FVVYes, the Rockets need another big but hard to find a bench big like Naz
— Robert Land | Houston Sports Talk Podcast Host (@HSTPodcast) January 6, 2024
“The Wizard” is the official nickname. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/PpEIkcGrSi
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 6, 2024
Yeah, if Minnesota's role players are going to hit 3s, and there's a massive size disadvantage, and there's no Dillon or Tari… it's tough.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 6, 2024
I do enjoy seeing Jalen Green play with this level of competitiveness. He's overthought things for a lot of this season, IMO
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 6, 2024
10 turnovers, not even to the midway point of the second quarter. So many of the awful, live-ball variety, leading to easy transition runouts. Biggest Minnesota lead yet of 14.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 6, 2024
Udoka said VanVleet told the trainer he was ok to re-enter the game, so he went to the table on his own. Udoka pulled him back because he was about to take the starters out. "He didn't do a Wemby," Udoka joked. https://t.co/YtUpXjikmd
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 6, 2024
Ime Udoka: "I think they bullied us. May not have anything to do with our offense, but I thought it was our worst game from a standpoint of matching physicality and competitiveness and toughness tonight."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 6, 2024
Sometimes you just have to call it like it is. Minnesota is on an entirely different level than the Rockets especially with no Eason or Brooks pic.twitter.com/prW060LgkH
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 6, 2024
#Rockets fall to MIN 122-95
Jalen Green 20 PTS / 4-8 3PT / 5 REB@HoustonRockets back in action tomorrow vs MIL pic.twitter.com/6Q6cZh4WPL
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 6, 2024
Lets be honest its not much to this game. The Rockets are missing its two of its best perimeter defenders and they are playing the best team in the NBA. This game has been over for a while. Minnesota is one of the worst possible matchup for the Rockets
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 6, 2024
#Rockets lose to the Timberwolves 122-95
Jabari Smith Jr. 16 PTS / 9 REB@HoustonRockets on SCHN pic.twitter.com/yfEcS26ex2
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 6, 2024
