All-Star center Alperen Sengun has had big numbers this season versus Minnesota (+3.5), and the Timberwolves could be without Rudy Gobert.

Minnesota gave up 48 points in the first quarter, rallied all the way back, then faded in a way that drew criticism from coach Chris Finch.

Gobert (back) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Lakers. Gobert will miss a fifth straight game Thursday for Minnesota while managing a back issue. The Timberwolves will likely continue to lean on Naz Reid to pick up the slack in the frontcourt,

Reid had 22 points (6-18 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 7-7 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and four blocks in 40 minutes during Sunday's 130-123 loss to the Thunder. With Rudy Gobert missing his third straight game with back spasms,

The Minnesota Timberwolves fell into a 23-point hole early, Anthony Edwards was ejected during the third quarter and they remained without Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert, and yet, the Wolves still found themselves in another nail-biter.

Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves (31-25) will visit the Houston Rockets (34-21) at Toyota Center on Friday,. The game starts at 9:30 PM ET.In their last time out, the

Gobert (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Rockets, Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network reports. Gobert will miss a second consecutive game due to a back issue. The veteran big man's absence will likely result in a heavier workload for Naz Reid,

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said prior to Thursday's 111-102 loss to the Lakers that Randle (groin) and Rudy Gobert (back) are both "close" to playing in games, but no formal target date for either player has been established,

Out again Friday

Still out against OKC

Based on Finch's comments, Gobert and Randle can both be ruled out for the second leg of Minnesota's back-to-back set Friday in Utah, and a return from either player in the final game of the road trip Sunday in Phoenix may be ambitious.