Jalen Green scores 35 points to lead Rockets past Timberwolves 121-115

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, left, drives to the basket as Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots as Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham (4) dunks as Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate, right, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after making a three point basket against the Houston Rockets during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark, bottom center, reacts after his shot at the buzzer against the Houston Rockets was overturned by an official during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch watches from the sideline during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka watches from the sideline during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) and Houston Rockets center Steven Adams, right, reach for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) reacts after making a basket at the buzzer against the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Houston. Clark’s shot was overturned by official review. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark, center, reacts after his shot at the buzzer against the Houston Rockets was overturned by an official during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark, bottom center, reacts after his basket at the buzzer against the Houston Rockets was overturned by an official during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacts after being called for a technical foul against the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

HOUSTON (AP) — Jalen Green scored 35 points, Alperen Sengun added 24 points and 13 rebounds and the Houston Rockets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 121-115 on Friday night.

Green finished 12 of 24 from the floor and was 5 of 11 on 3-pointers. Amen Thompson finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for Houston, which shot 50%, including 13 of 26 on 3-pointers.

Jabari Smith Jr had 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench in his first game back after missing 22 games with a broken bone in his left hand.

Anthony Edwards scored 37 points on 13-of-32 shooting, including 4 of 14 on 3-pointers. Edwards scored 25 points in the first half on 8-of-15 shooting, including 3 of 7 on 3-pointers.

Naz Reid had 22 points and eight rebounds, Jaden McDaniels added 21 points and Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 16 points for Minnesota, which shot 45%, including 11 of 39 on 3-pointers.

Takeaways

Timberwolves: Mike Conley returned to the lineup after missing four games with a sprained right index finger, but he was in foul trouble for most of the night and finished with five points in 24 minutes.

Rockets: One area that coach Ime Udoka pointed to before the game where Smith’s return would help was rebounding. Houston outrebounded the Timberwolves 48-35.

Key moment

Tied at 108, Green made a 3-pointer with five minutes remaining to kickstart Houston’s 9-2 run to open up a seven-point lead with 48 seconds left.

Key stat

Edwards was 1 for 6 in the fourth quarter, including 1 of 4 on 3-pointers. He scored 3 points in the quarter as Houston sent double teams at him.

Up next

Minnesota hosts Oklahoma City on Sunday night, while Houston travels to Utah on Saturday night.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA