With 12 straight losses and 17 in their past 18 games, the Houston Rockets currently own the NBA’s worst losing streak of the 2022-23 season. Saturday offers another chance to finally end it.
One of Houston’s near-misses in this woeful stretch came Jan. 8 versus Minnesota, when the Rockets led the Timberwolves by 20 in the first half before falling apart in the second half. Nearly two weeks later, they have a new opportunity to finish the job.
Unfortunately for the Rockets, they will be more short-handed than they were in this month’s earlier meeting versus Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, D’Angelo Russell, and the rest of the Timberwolves. Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) and Jabari Smith Jr. (right ankle sprain) will both be sidelined, according to head coach Stephen Silas, with Porter set to miss his fifth straight game.
Smith is expected to miss his first game since suffering the injury in the second half of Wednesday night’s loss to Charlotte.
Jabari Smith Jr (sprained right ankle) at practice, but didn’t work with the team. Did some individual stuff, shot free throws. Stephen Silas says he’s out tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com/6juS0NPTfN
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 20, 2023
Those absences could lead to more minutes and touches for second-year Rockets center Alperen Sengun, who is averaging 21.5 points (68.5% FG), 10.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks in the four games that Porter has missed with his foot injury.
For the Timberwolves, both Edwards and Gobert are questionable with their own nagging injuries. Whether that duo plays could be the difference between Minnesota being a commanding favorite and a game that suddenly becomes much more winable for the Rockets.
If Gobert does play, it could be two straight matchups for Sengun versus one of the NBA’s renowned defensive centers. The Timberwolves will pay a return visit to Houston on Monday night.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 21
- Time: 7 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (10-35)
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Guard: Eric Gordon
- Forward: KJ Martin
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Minnesota Timberwolves (23-24)
- Guard: D’Angelo Russell
- Guard: Anthony Edwards
- Forward: Kyle Anderson
- Forward: Jaden McDaniels
- Center: Rudy Gobert
Projected lineups are based on each team’s prior game, with the exception of Tate in place of Jabari Smith Jr. (doubtful due to injury).
Injury reports
Stephen Silas says Kevin Porter Jr not at practice while getting his foot looked at by the doctor. Jabari Smith Jr (ankle) at practice but didn’t go through the workout. Says both out tomorrow.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 20, 2023
Houston’s injury report lists Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) and Jabari Smith Jr. (right ankle sprain) as doubtful, though head coach Stephen Silas said at Friday’s practice that both would be out.
Meanwhile, Minnesota is listing Karl-Anthony Towns (right calf strain) and Jordan McLaughlin (left calf strain) as out. Anthony Edwards (left hip soreness), Rudy Gobert (right groin soreness), and Austin Rivers (left knee contusion) are all questionable.
