HOUSTON — In the first game out of the NBA’s All-Star break for both teams, the Rockets got a much-needed win in Friday’s 121-115 victory at Toyota Center (box score) over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves.
With the win, the fourth-seeded Rockets (35-21) moved 4.5 games ahead of the seventh-seeded Timberwolves (31-26) in the Western Conference standings while also securing a 2-2 split of the season series and potential tiebreaker. Teams in the No. 7 through No. 10 range have to go through the West play-in tournament to advance to the playoffs, so it’s a much-needed buffer for Houston entering the home stretch of the 2024-25 season.
After being benched in Houston’s previous game leading into the All-Star break, young stars Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun each responded in a big way in Houston’s victory. Key stat lines included:
- Jalen Green: 35 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals; 12-of-24 shooting (50.0%), 5-of-11 on 3-pointers (45.5%), 6-of-9 on free throws (66.7%)
- Alperen Sengun: 24 points, 13 rebounds; 8-of-21 shooting (38.1%), 8-of-10 on free throws (80.0%)
- Amen Thompson: 17 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks; 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%), 3-of-3 on free throws
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 15 points, 9 rebounds; 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%), 4-of-6 on 3-pointers (66.7%)
- Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves): 37 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; 13-of-32 shooting (40.6%), 4-of-14 on 3-pointers (28.6%), 7-of-10 on free throws (70.0%)
- Naz Reid (Timberwolves): 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists; 9-of-16 shooting (56.3%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
- Jaden McDaniels (Timberwolves): 21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals; 7-of-15 shooting (46.7%), 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%), 6-of-7 on free throws (85.7%)
The Rockets are now 9-0 when Green scores 30 or more points this season. It also helped that he was more efficient than Edwards, who had been outstanding versus the Rockets in Minnesota’s two head-to-head wins earlier this season (including one on Feb. 6). This time, led by the likes of Thompson, Smith, and Dillon Brooks, Houston was up for the challenge defensively.
“The plan is getting back to what we were doing,” Green said postgame. “It may have been fatigue or injuries that set us back before the All-Star break, but we’re trying to get back to doing what we do. And that’s playing hard every night.”
Both Green and Sengun had important baskets in the game’s final two minutes as Houston finally gained separation to put Minnesota away.
Among injuries for the Rockets, starting point guard Fred VanVleet remained sidelined by the right ankle strain he suffered on Feb. 1. However, power forward Jabari Smith Jr. did return after a 22-game absence due to a left hand fracture.
The Timberwolves were without veteran center Rudy Gobert (low back spasms).
Feb. 21 Rockets-Timberwolves Complete Highlights
Feb. 21 Postgame Reaction and Interviews
Ime Udoka said the decision to start Tari tonight is moreso to take advantage of the back-to-back situation, given Tari will not likely play tomorrow. Jabari easing back in is more of a side benefit. https://t.co/sIvVXpX8pK
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 22, 2025
Ime Udoka says he has not decided on the Rockets starting lineup once everyone is healthy. He says he likes a lot of the options. “I think it’s pretty open.”
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 22, 2025
Fred VanVleet felt a little soreness in his ankle after scrimmaging at yesterday’s practice. Udoka said he’s at about 80 percent and they’ll see how he feels going into the San Antonio-Milwaukee back-to-back
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 22, 2025
Anthony Edwards and Ime Udoka hugged it out after the final buzzer sounded. Udoka was headed straight to the locker room but Edwards stopped him
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 22, 2025
Rockets have held Edwards to 12 points on 5-of-17 shooting in the second half. He’s 1-of-7 from three, and the one make was a fall away in the corner with two guys on him
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 22, 2025
Jalen and Alpi got buckets in a tight game when they had to. That’s what you get the big bucks for
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 22, 2025
A very nice game for Jabari Smith Jr. in his return. 15 and 9 shooting 55% from the field. Came off the bench and still ended up with the 3rd highest minutes.
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) February 22, 2025
One thing about Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, there are obviously fair basketball critiques, but the Rockets do like their mental makeup (reflected in the extensions).
This was the first game for both after the benchings vs. Golden State, and they responded. Not everyone would
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 22, 2025
The Rockets’ 48 points in the 1Q was their most in any quarter this season — and the most allowed by the Wolves in any quarter this year too 👀
📺 Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/uqdy9m7zCB
— ESPN (@espn) February 22, 2025
Jalen Green attempted nine free throws tonight (6-of-9 shooting, nice) on his way to 35 points.Fun stat: Rockets are now 12-4 when Jalen attempts six or more free throws.
Across those 16 games he’s averaging 26.1 ppg.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) February 22, 2025
“I feel like I’m one of the best young guards in the league, and he’s one of the best young guards in the league.”
Jalen Green shares his thoughts on facing off against Anthony Edwards 💪 pic.twitter.com/g2hEhjLii2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 22, 2025
What’s Next
The Rockets will play night two of a split back-to-back on Saturday in Utah, with tipoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Central. The Jazz (13-41) will be on a back-to-back as well, though they were at home for both games (Utah hosted Oklahoma City on Friday).
More: As Rockets resume schedule, All-Star center Alperen Sengun turns focus to efficiency
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets get key win as Jalen Green drops 35 on Anthony Edwards, Wolves
