After Friday’s dominant win, the Houston Rockets (23-25) are in a virtual tie with the Utah Jazz (24-26) for the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference standings, which would represent the final berth in the West’s 2023-24 play-in tournament to make the playoffs.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that after bumping their home record to 18-9, the Rockets will now head out on a four-game road trip, and they are 5-16 away from Houston this season.
Making matters worse, it starts with Sunday’s visit to Minnesota, where the Timberwolves (34-15) are tied for the West’s top record.
Led by strong big men such as Rudy Gobert and Karl Anthony-Towns, the Timberwolves controlled the paint in a commanding win over the Rockets last month in Houston. Alperen Sengun hopes to flip the script in Sunday’s rematch from Target Center in Minneapolis.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 2
- Time: 6 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (23-25)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Minnesota Timberwolves (34-15)
- Guard: Mike Conley
- Guard: Anthony Edwards
- Forward: Jaden McDaniels
- Forward: Karl-Anthony Towns
- Center: Rudy Gobert
Projected lineups are based on each team’s previous game.
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report lists Steven Adams (trade pending) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) as out for Sunday’s game. Eason has advanced to 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 drills in recent practices, and the Rockets hope he can resume playing in games this week. Jock Landale (right wrist bone bruise) is questionable.
The Timberwolves are listing Jaylen Clark (right Achilles tendon rupture rehab) as out, while Leonard Miller and Josh Minott are in the NBA G League. Rudy Gobert (left ankle sprain) is questionable, though he played in Minnesota’s previous game on Friday.
Feb. 4 uniform choices
- Rockets: Black Statement Edition
- Timberwolves: White Association Edition
