ROCKETS FALL TO TWOLVES
Sengun’s season-high not enough as Rockets lose to Timberwolves
Dec 28, 2024, 3:13 pm
Rockets lose to Timberwolves, 113-112. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.
Anthony Edwards made a step-back 3-pointer with 23 seconds left to cap a furious rally and lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 113-112 win over the Houston Rockets Friday night.
The Rockets were up by 12 with about three minutes left before a 10-0 run by the Timberwolves, highlighted by a 3-point play by Edwards, cut the lead to 110-108 with 90 seconds to go.
Alperen Sengun made 1 of 2 free throws after that, but Julius Randle's dunk on the other end got Minnesota within 1. Sengun was fouled a second time and again made just 1 of 2 free throws to leave Houston up 112-110.
Edwards then sunk the 3-pointer to give Minnesota its first lead since midway through the third quarter.
The Rockets had a chance for the win, but Fred VanVleet's 3-point attempt was off.
Randle had 27 points and Edwards added 24 as the Timberwolves won their second straight after losing three in a row.
Sengun had a season-high 38 points with 12 rebounds to lead the Rockets, who had a four-game winning streak snapped.
Takeaways
Timberwolves: Edwards had scored just one point in the second half before his late-game heroics secured the win.
Rockets: Houston could have used Dillon Brooks for his defense down the stretch Friday night. He missed his third straight game with a sore right ankle.
Key moment
The 3-pointer by Edwards.
Key stat
The Timberwolves got the win despite being outscored 66-40 in the paint.
Up next
Houston hosts Miami and Minnesota hosts San Antonio Sunday night.
Astros GM Dana Brown spoke with the media on Tuesday and shared some surprising updates about some of the club's key players.
Firstly, Brown spoke about Alex Bregman as if he's no longer in Houston's plans. Which shouldn't come as much of a surprise considering the moves Houston made to replace Breggy and Tucker.
It feels like any hope for Alex's return to Houston is coming from agent Scott Boras looking to use the 'Stros as leverage.
Yet, with Bregman unlikely to return, the team is still looking to play Jose Altuve in left field. Moving Altuve to left made some sense if they were doing it to accommodate Bregman, but reports suggest Houston would have done the same thing had they signed Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco, who has defensive issues of his own.
It sounds strange, but Brown made a point of saying Altuve looked good in left field. One has to wonder if another move is coming, or if Mauricio Dubon plays second base when Houston's top ground ball pitchers (Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown) make their starts.
Health updates
Brown shared optimism about the return of Lance McCullers, who is currently throwing off a mound and reaching 90mph. As much as we would love to see McCullers return, it's hard for many to get too excited after a few positive throwing sessions. But hey, never say never. They could certainly use him.
It was also revealed at the presser that Luis Garcia is throwing on flat ground with no issues. While that is good news, we expected Garcia would be further along in his recovery. Pitchers and catchers report in about a week, and he's still not throwing off a mound. Hopefully that changes sooner rather than later.
Don't miss the video above as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein try to make sense out of the latest updates from the Astros, and much more!