HOUSTON -- The Rockets wrapped up a three-game homestand at Toyota Center with Wednesday’s 117-107 loss (box score) to Minnesota.
For Houston (7-2), it’s just the second loss of the 2026-27 regular season. The Timberwolves (6-3) remain a game back in the Western Conference standings, though they now own the NBA’s best overall rating.
Alperen Sengun had his first triple-double of the season for Houston and finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. However, he shot just 5-of-15 from the field (33.3%), and he did not make a single shot when veteran Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was on the floor.
Turnovers were a major problem for Houston, which had 22 as a team. Sengun (5), Kevin Durant (4), and Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson (3 each)
were among the culprits.
“We had 22 turnovers overall for 33 points (off turnovers),” said head coach Ime Udoka. “That’s the story of the game.”
“They were more physical and more aggressive, and we didn’t handle them going after the ball. If you can take care of the ball, you’ll get wide open shots against them.”
Durant accepted responsibility for his role. Overall, the showing was poor enough that Houston went from No. 8 in turnover prevention (pregame) to No. 18 postgame.
“I lead by example out there, so I can’t be leading the team in turnovers,” Durant said postgame.
Other individual statistics of note included:
- Durant: 21 points, 5 rebounds; 7-of-14 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%), 5-of-6 on free throws (83.3%)
- VanVleet: 18 points, 3 assists; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%)
- Reed Sheppard: 14 points, 3 steals, 2 assists in 21 minutes; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 3-of-8 on 3-pointers (37.5%)
- LaMelo Ball (Timberwolves): 20 points, 6 assists, 3 steals, 7 turnovers; 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), 4-of-7 on 3-pointers (57.1%)
- Ayo Dosunmu (Timberwolves): 21 points, 6 assists; 10-of-20 shooting (50.0%)
Collectively, Minnesota shot 46-of-87 from the field (52.9%) and 15-of-35 from 3-point range (42.9%) as Houston struggled to deny dribble penetration. When the Rockets had a second defender come over to help on those drives, the Timberwolves often swung the ball and generated open shots from the perimeter.
“Their guys were making shots,” Udoka surmised.
The Rockets were far less efficient, shooting 35-of-82 overall (42.7%) and 13-of-37 on 3-pointers (35.1%). They also scored only 19 points off Minnesota’s 17 turnovers, and that 14-point gap proved decisive.
Next up for Houston is a road game at Phoenix on Saturday night. Tipoff versus the Suns (1-5) is at 8:00 p.m. Central, and the game will be televised and streamed regionally on Space City Home Network (SCHN) and to national and international audiences via NBA League Pass.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: In loss to Minnesota, Rockets (7-2) struggle with ball security, defense
