Rockets Aim to Regroup Against Timberwolves as Anthony Edwards Sits Again
After a tough loss marked by a fourth-quarter collapse, the Houston Rockets are looking to bounce back Friday night when they host the surging Minnesota Timberwolves. The matchup tips off at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN and Space City Home Network.
Houston’s recent form has been a mixed bag. While the Rockets have shown flashes of promise - especially with their scoring and rebounding - consistency has been elusive. A 20-point loss to the Thunder exposed some offensive issues that the team will need to clean up quickly if they want to stay competitive in the Western Conference race.
Durant Leading the Way, but Needs Help
Kevin Durant continues to shoulder the scoring load for Houston, averaging around 25-26 points per game. The veteran forward has been the offensive engine, but he’s not doing it alone.
Alperen Şengün has emerged as a key contributor in the paint, and young pieces like Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. have shown growth in spurts. Still, the Rockets’ offense has cooled off recently, and they’ll need more cohesion and shot-making to keep up with a Timberwolves team that’s playing with confidence.
Timberwolves Riding Momentum - But Missing Their Star
Minnesota comes into this one riding high after a convincing win over the Bucks. Their recent success has been driven by a gritty defensive identity and balanced scoring across the board. Anthony Edwards has been at the center of that offensive balance all season, but the Wolves will be without their star guard for a second straight game due to a foot injury.
That’s a major development. Edwards’ absence shifts the dynamic of the game entirely.
Without him, the Timberwolves will lean more heavily on the interior duo of Julius Randle and Naz Reid, along with the defensive presence of Rudy Gobert. Expect Minnesota to try to control the paint and slow the pace, forcing Houston into half-court sets where they’ve struggled at times.
What Houston Needs to Do
With Edwards out, the Rockets have a golden opportunity to tighten up defensively and shift their focus to containing Minnesota’s frontcourt. That means extra attention on Randle’s physicality and Gobert’s rim presence. The Rockets' bigs - especially Şengün - will need to be active on both ends, and perimeter defenders must stay disciplined against Minnesota’s secondary scorers.
Houston also has to find its offensive rhythm early. When the Rockets are at their best, they’re pushing the pace, crashing the glass, and creating open looks through ball movement. If they fall into isolation-heavy sets or settle for contested jumpers, it could be another long night.
Injury Report
The Rockets are still without Fred VanVleet, who remains sidelined with an ACL injury. Dorian Finney-Smith and Tari Eason are both listed as day-to-day with ankle issues.
For Minnesota, Edwards is officially out with a foot injury, and Terrence Shannon Jr. will also miss the game due to a foot issue.
Bottom Line
This is a chance for Houston to reset. With Minnesota missing its top scorer, the Rockets have an opening to get back on track - but only if they bring the energy and execution that’s been missing in recent outings.
If Durant gets hot and the supporting cast steps up, Houston could walk away with a much-needed win. But if they come out flat again, Minnesota has enough depth and grit to make them pay.