Minnesota Dominates Houston Behind Strong Depth
The Minnesota Timberwolves extended their winning streak to three games Friday night with a commanding performance against the Houston Rockets, showcasing the offensive balance that has defined their recent success.
Playing without leading scorer Anthony Edwards due to a foot injury, Minnesota’s depth proved decisive at Toyota Center. Bones Hyland led the way with a season-high 23 points off the bench, while the Timberwolves’ supporting cast—including rookie Joan Beringer, who added a career-high 13 points—capitalized on Houston’s defensive struggles.
Rockets’ Skid Continues
The loss marks Houston’s fourth defeat in five games, compounding troubles from a lopsided 111-91 loss to Oklahoma City the previous night. The Rockets, playing the second night of a back-to-back, shot just 33.7% from the floor against the Thunder and carried those offensive woes into Friday’s matchup.
Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun all struggled to find rhythm despite Houston’s strong 12-3 home record. The Rockets’ seven-game home winning streak came to an end against Minnesota’s balanced attack.
Defensive Challenges Mount
Despite missing Edwards, Minnesota’s elite defense—anchored by Rudy Gobert’s league-leading rebounding efforts and Julius Randle’s versatility—stifled the Rockets’ offensive sets throughout the evening. Houston’s injury concerns, including Steven Adams day-to-day and Dorian Finney-Smith ruled out, further depleted an already stretched rotation.
The Timberwolves improved to 27-14 overall and 12-8 on the road, positioning themselves fourth in the Western Conference. Houston, now 23-15, sits sixth in the West as the team recalibrates amid a challenging stretch.
