Jalen Green led the Houston Rockets to a 121-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night with a 35-point performance. Alperen Sengun contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds as Houston secured its 35th win of the season.
Green shot 12-of-24 from the field and made 5-of-11 three-pointers, helping the Rockets maintain their grip on fourth place in the Western Conference. Amen Thompson added 17 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, while Houston shot 50% from the floor and 13-of-26 from beyond the arc.
Jabari Smith Jr. returned after missing 22 games due to a broken left hand and provided 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench. His presence bolstered Houston’s rebounding. The Rockets finished with a 48-35 edge on the boards.
Anthony Edwards scored 37 points for Minnesota but struggled in the second half after a dominant start. He tallied 25 points before halftime on 8-of-15 shooting but cooled down in the final two quarters.
Edwards went 1-of-6 in the fourth quarter, including 1-of-4 from deep, as Houston’s defense tightened. The Rockets frequently sent double teams at the Timberwolves’ star, limiting him to three points in the period.
Naz Reid recorded 22 points and eight rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels added 21 points for Minnesota. Nickeil Alexander-Walker chipped in 16 points, but the Timberwolves shot 45% from the field and struggled from three, converting just 11-of-39 attempts.
Mike Conley returned after missing four games due to a sprained right index finger, but foul trouble limited him to five points in 24 minutes. The Timberwolves remain in seventh place in the West after the loss.
The game remained tight until the closing minutes when Green hit a crucial three-pointer with five minutes remaining to put Houston ahead 111-108. That shot sparked a 9-2 run, giving the Rockets a seven-point cushion with under a minute left.
Houston’s ability to execute late proved decisive, while Minnesota’s offense faltered down the stretch. The Timberwolves were outscored 23-22 in the fourth quarter, failing to recover after trailing by 10 early in the first quarter.
With the win, the Rockets improved to 35-21, strengthening their push for home-court advantage in the playoffs. Minnesota, now 31-26, continues to battle for positioning in the crowded Western Conference standings.
