TRADE ALERT
Rockets strike deal with Celtics before trade deadline
Feb 5, 2025, 12:45 pm
The Rockets are making moves before Thursday's deadline. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Houston Rockets make headlines with surprising Nets trade
Following a heartbreaking loss to the Nets on Tuesday night, the Rockets have reportedly made a deal with the Celtics to acquire guard Jaden Springer.
The Boston Celtics are trading Jaden Springer and their 2030 second-round pick to the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Both teams are also exchanging heavily protected second-rounders. pic.twitter.com/rhcmgvvJQo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2025
Per The Athletic's Kelly Iko, Houston will receive Springer (age 22) along with a 2030 second-round pick in exchange for a Top-55 protected 2031 second-round selection.
Nothing concrete, but Houston is still working the phones between now and Thursday. Other deals potentially in play depending on domino effect around the league. https://t.co/N09Ow62mDO
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 5, 2025
Springer should provide some perimeter defense for the Rockets, but he's not much of a threat on the offensive side of the ball.
He's averaged 2.7 points and grabbed 1.3 rebounds in 8.0 minutes per game over his four-year career.
I like Springer! Damn. (Lux tax, apron, I get it.) Even 3 minutes of Eason, Amen, Springer and Brooks at the same time would be complete chaos defensively. https://t.co/ll8ndSJjfy
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 5, 2025
Celtics fan Bill Simmons was sad to see him go, so that might be something Rockets fans can hang their hats on. He envisions certain situations where Springer, Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, and Dillon Brooks could give teams fits defensively.
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Anthony Edwards had 41 points, seven rebounds and six assists on Thursday night as the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied to beat the Houston Rockets 127-114.
One night after scoring 49 points in a win over Chicago, Edwards dominated the game early and late. He scored 18 points in the first quarter and 16 in the fourth, which began with Houston leading by six.
Rudy Gobert had back-to-back dunks to start the quarter before Edwards took over with three 3-pointers as Minnesota outscored Houston 35-16 over the final 12 minutes.
Jaylen Clark scored a career-high 17 points for the Timberwolves while Naz Reid had 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Jalen Green led Houston with 28 points. Alperen Sengun had 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Rockets, who lost their fifth straight.
Takeaways
Rockets: Houston is one of the league's top road teams with 17 victories, more than all but one NBA team entering the night. But the Rockets have lost their last four on the road.
Timberwolves: Minnesota was playing the fourth of five straight games at home, where they are 14-12 (compared to 15-11 on the road). But with two strong fourth-quarter performances in as many nights, the Wolves might be figuring it out.
Key moment
With less than 5 minutes to play, Edwards missed a 3-pointer but Clark tracked down the rebound. He passed it back to Edwards, who drove to the hoop and drew a foul while hitting a short jumper. He made the free throw, then hit a 3-pointer on the next possession to put Minnesota on top 113-106.
Key stat
Minnesota outrebounded Houston, the No. 1 rebounding team in the NBA, 47-39.
Up next
Both teams are back in action on Saturday, when the Rockets visit Dallas and the Timberwolves host Portland.