On Jan 17, 2026, the Houston Rockets rallied at the Toyota Center to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 110‑105, snapping a first‑half deficit. With Anthony Edwards sidelined by a left‑ankle sprain, Houston’s Jeremy Bélint and Dylan Hart delivered clutch scoring in the fourth quarter to secure the win and strengthen their West Conference push.
Game Flow by Quarter
First Quarter – Timberwolves Take Early Lead
The Timberwolves opened strong, surging to a 34‑29 lead. Eric Green hit several perimeter shots, while the Rockets relied on John Carlos and rookie Dylan Hart to chip away with drives to the basket.
Second & Third Quarters – Rockets Build a Cushion
Jeremy Bélint dominated the paint, grabbing rebounds and converting second‑chance points that flipped the lead to 57‑52 at halftime. In the third quarter, Tobias Kai knocked down back‑to‑back three‑pointers, extending the Rockets’ advantage to 85‑78 despite Minnesota’s attempts to rally without Edwards.
Fourth Quarter – Clutch Finish
The Timberwolves narrowed the gap to 98‑96 early in the final period, but Bélint answered with a decisive three‑pointer, restoring a five‑point margin. In the closing two minutes, the Rockets sealed the victory as Bélint sank two free throws and Hart added a decisive layup, finalizing the 110‑105 score.
Key Player Performances
- Jeremy Bélint (Rockets) – 27 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists; crucial three‑pointer and free throws in the fourth quarter.
- Dylan Hart (Rockets) – 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals; his fourth‑quarter layup proved decisive.
- Eric Green (Timberwolves) – 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists; kept Minnesota competitive from beyond the arc.
- Andrew López (Timberwolves) – 18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists; primary scoring option in Edwards’ absence.
Impact on Western Conference Standings
The win lifts Houston to seventh place in the West, keeping a realistic path to a top‑six seed as the playoff race intensifies. Minnesota remains tenth, and the loss underscores the challenge of competing without Anthony Edwards, who averages 28.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists this season.
What This Victory Means for the Rockets
The comeback highlights the Rockets’ growing cohesion and the emergence of young talent in high‑pressure moments. Maintaining this momentum could propel them into the playoff picture, while continued contributions from Bélint and Hart will be essential as the schedule tightens.
Looking Ahead
Both clubs face pivotal matchups next week. Houston aims to extend its winning streak and solidify a playoff berth, whereas Minnesota must find a reliable replacement for Edwards and improve rebounding and defense to climb out of the lower tier of the conference.
