ROCKETS WIN!
Jalen Green scores 35 points to lead Rockets past Timberwolves 121-115
Feb 22, 2025, 11:56 am
Jalen Green had a big game! Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.
Jalen Green scored 35 points, Alperen Sengun added 24 points and 13 rebounds and the Houston Rockets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 121-115 on Friday night.
Green finished 12 of 24 from the floor and was 5 of 11 on 3-pointers. Amen Thompson finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for Houston, which shot 50%, including 13 of 26 on 3-pointers.
Jabari Smith Jr had 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench in his first game back after missing 22 games with a broken bone in his left hand.
Anthony Edwards scored 37 points on 13-of-32 shooting, including 4 of 14 on 3-pointers. Edwards scored 25 points in the first half on 8-of-15 shooting, including 3 of 7 on 3-pointers.
Naz Reid had 22 points and eight rebounds, Jaden McDaniels added 21 points and Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 16 points for Minnesota, which shot 45%, including 11 of 39 on 3-pointers.
Takeaways
Timberwolves: Mike Conley returned to the lineup after missing four games with a sprained right index finger, but he was in foul trouble for most of the night and finished with five points in 24 minutes.
Rockets: One area that coach Ime Udoka pointed to before the game where Smith’s return would help was rebounding. Houston outrebounded the Timberwolves 48-35.
Key moment
Tied at 108, Green made a 3-pointer with five minutes remaining to kickstart Houston’s 9-2 run to open up a seven-point lead with 48 seconds left.
Key stat
Edwards was 1 for 6 in the fourth quarter, including 1 of 4 on 3-pointers. He scored 3 points in the quarter as Houston sent double teams at him.
Up next
Minnesota hosts Oklahoma City on Sunday night, while Houston travels to Utah on Saturday night.
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The Houston Rockets (35-22) welcome the surging Milwaukee Bucks (32-24) on Tuesday night as they look to snap the Bucks' four-game winning streak and defend their strong home record.
The Rockets have been solid at Toyota Center, boasting an 18-9 home record, but they’ll need a sharper shooting performance to keep pace with Milwaukee. Houston ranks last in the Western Conference in three-point percentage (34.3%) and will have to find offensive efficiency against a Bucks team that allows 45.2% shooting to opponents.
Milwaukee, led by Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez, has struggled on the road (12-15) but remains dangerous when controlling possessions. The Bucks are 15-7 when they commit fewer turnovers than their opponents, averaging just 13.1 per game.
Key Matchups to Watch:
- Jalen Green vs. Milwaukee’s defense: Green leads Houston with 21.5 points per game but will need efficiency against the Bucks’ perimeter defense.
- Alperen Sengun’s recent form: Averaging 14.8 points over his last 10 games, Sengun will play a pivotal role inside against Lopez and Milwaukee’s frontcourt.
- Bucks’ offensive edge: Milwaukee averages 5.2 more points per game than Houston allows, making defensive execution critical for the Rockets.
With both teams sitting fifth in their respective conferences, this matchup could serve as a measuring stick as they push toward playoff positioning. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. EST in Houston.
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