With six straight losses and 11 in their last 12 games, the young Houston Rockets now own the NBA’s worst record in the 2022-23 season. To correct that and begin charting a new course, they need a win, and their next opportunity to get one comes Sunday night.
In theory, it’s a winnable game. The Rockets are at home inside Toyota Center, while the visiting Timberwolves — now the Western Conference’s No. 11 seed and outside the playoff picture — aren’t a dominant opponent, and they won’t be at full strength, either.
Karl-Anthony Towns (right calf strain) is out and Anthony Edwards (left hip soreness) is questionable, which could make life a bit easier for the likes of Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Jalen Green.
Then again, New Orleans blew out the Rockets last week without Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, so nothing should be taken for granted with a team struggling like this Houston group. Minnesota does enter with some momentum, as well, having won three straight.
FWIW: Anthony Edwards didn’t sound optimistic about playing in Houston while in the locker room last night … but he did sound confident that he wouldn’t miss more than one game
— Jace frederick (@JaceFrederick) January 7, 2023
When and How to Watch
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 8
- Time: 6 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 (10-29)
- Guard: Kevin Porter Jr.
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Eric Gordon
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Minnesota Timberwolves (19-21)
- 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.
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report is clean, though they did send rookie guard TyTy Washington back to their NBA G League affiliate (the Rio Grande Valley Vipers) due to the full roster.
Minnesota will be without Karl-Anthony Towns (right calf strain) and Jordan McLaughlin (left calf strain), while Anthony Edwards (left hip soreness), Bryn Forbes (right shoulder soreness), and Naz Reid (back spasms) are questionable for Sunday night.
