Houston Rockets vs minnesota timberwolves GAME 1st-2nd | Jul 19 2025 | NBA 2K26 Summer League Today
benefit the most from having Kevin Durant. Didn’t get a lot of touches last year, but getting a guy like Kevin Durant on the floor will help his game offensively and allow him to be a piece for Eay Adoka to use during the season. I think he’ll have a much bigger impact this year on the Rockets. Houston shut him down after two productive games offensively. So, Kennedy Chandler’s been soaking up most of the minutes at the one. He has and gives him a tremendous opportunity. He’s played well this summer and if the Rockets want to finish summer league with the win Kennedy Chad needs to play well. Take a look at your starting lineups as the Houston Rockets look to leave Las Vegas on a winning note trying to salvage a victory before they get on a play. The Minnesota Timberwolves chance to keep their record perfect. Narrowly missed out on a semifinals opportunity. A chance to go five for five today in summer league against the Houston Rockets. We are underway. And the finale for both these franchises. Ari Bailey guarding Chandler. A couple of players we featured off the top. Someone we haven’t spoken about yet is Cavan Harris. He misses the opening three. Bailey attacks early looking for a target. Newton in the corner has all day and splashes a triple. knew if you don’t remember him as a champion with the Yukon Huskies and a big guard turned himself into a really good player. Now Eastern with the steel no Eastern. No finish there, but an offensive board from Newton. Extra pass from the corner to Bailey. Got it. Backto back threes for Minnesota to begin. You’re seeing the pace and the style here showing you why the Timberwolves have been undefeated this summer. only by the point difference. They’re not playing for rings, but they’re still playing an undefeated summer. And Matthews drives the baseline now. Adonis Arms finds Harris. Short clock situation. Three to go off his foot. Bailey to the floor for a new possession for the Wolves. Clock situation. Three to go. Off his foot. Bailey to the floor for a new possession for the Wolves. And there couldn’t get the touch pass and the Wolves turn it over. That’s the first thing that’s gone wrong here. Here’s the penetration by Bailey. drive rip baseline three there by Newton and then Bailey’s get rewarded with a little penetration stuff. So right now early a lot of ball moving by Minnesota defensively they’re flying around they’re all over the place. Donna’s arms hiding behind that screen for three rebounding and Jamal Kane in the starting five for Minnesota. Oel Eastern waiting for that bounce pass to his sevenfooter Jesse Edwards appearing in the summer league with Minnesota for the second consecutive season. Jesse Edwards just keeps getting better and better. Started at Syracuse and in that two-3 zone and then he’s went to West Virginia and he’s improving his ability to defend in manto man and it’s really good low post score the basketball. Bailey goes to work playing off two feet and the lefty jumper in the lane. Just allow Mari Bailey to play with the ball in his hands more. Try to be more of a play point guard, not be off the ball so much at his size. He’s got to be effective doing that. And he’s had a really good game early here. Harris lost the handle initially. Recovers to spray it out to the corner for three. Cam Matthews converts Matthews known more for his defense comes out show you he could become a three and D guy Edwards puts his back to the basket gets back left shoulder and whist and where he fits in a lot of teams they don’t but when you think about Minnesota they have a starting big and it’s not as offensively gifted as Jesse Edwards is in the post. He’s really improved down there. Great. Oavore will get a lot of run at the five today within Folly Dante unfortunately injured for Houston and in a walking boot today. He also missed our game on Thursday. Kane on the move, calls his own number, puts it off glass and a foul on the putback. No Jel Eastern to shoot. Nobody stopped the basketball there by Kane. continue to get to the rim. Missed a bunny, but he’s in there to clean it up. Draw the foul. Kevin Hansen, the summer league head coach from Minnesota. He’s from Huntington Beach, went to USD, then played in Argentina and Germany. He’s been with the Timberwolves since 2019. Noel Eastern, 26 years old, once played at Purdue. Talks the first free throw through. big improvement in his three-point shooting in this G-League season. Up to 42% from behind the arc this past year. A great situation the way these guys they’re just early. You can see why Timberwolves hadn’t lost a game early. Everybody’s getting involved. The ball’s moving. They’re defending. Somebody for the Rockets have got to make shots early or this could get ugly. Harris trying to be that man to Chandler. One more. Matthews out of the corner. OAR got caught late in the clock. Well defended by the Wolves. Yeah, Abort likes to play inside, but he’s given up some size, so he likes to turn, face, and drive. He’s a post driver with the basketball. Just didn’t get it early enough to complete a play play. Rockets one of four with three turnovers in this opening quarter. Minnesota with an early advantage and looking for more with Tristan Newton. Bailey off a couple of screens comes to get it using the early shot fake to roll it through. Yeah, he knocked down a three already. So when he comes, you’re buying for it. You’re jumping at his fakes. The patience, the head fake. Get an easy basket there. Arms turned away. How about no, he is ready to do that. He’s a shot blocker. No doubt about that. Bailey wants to reward his big turning defense into offense. An early eruption from Minnesota plus 10 at the under six. [Music] [Music] has been emphatic this entire game. And not only was it the energy that I noticed, but every single player on this Timberwolves team, he knows them by name. And every single play up and down the court, he’s calling them out by their name. He’s encoura He knows them by name. And every single play up and down the court, he’s calling them out by their name. He’s had four wins straight and they’re still going and you know from the top to the bottom. Their top is still here all this way late into summer league. Yeah, thank you John. There’s a lot to smile about, right? Like Terren Shannon’s scoring, Rob Dillingham’s orchestration and play making going into year two. How about 21-year-old Leonard Miller’s impact at both ends at 6’10? And you got some stability at the top of your franchise. You know, just finalizing the set of the team and this team is really playing well. CJ Fton, who’s only made one brief appearance so far at summer league, gets an early hoop. Germaine Samuels, Junior, stepped on the sideline. Turning defense in the offense here. CJ Fton. No one stops the basketball. Excuse me. I’ll take that. Give me the easy deuce. That’s what you want to do. You get in the game like this, you just check in. That’s your first shot. They forget about you. Rockers have gone to the two-3 zone. They’ve been carved up in their manto man. Still no answers defensively for Martz Brown and the Timberwolves. There’s a confidence with this Minnesota group. It’s infectious. Back-to-back Western Conference Finals. They improved to 4-0 in the summer league with a comeback victory over Phoenix on Wednesday. Offseason moves mostly extending their own, right? Especially in the front court. Offseason moves, mostly extending their own, right? Especially in the front court. No, we talked about it already where Kevin Durant ends up with the Houston Rockets. We know, but Minnesota was one of the clubs that were rumored to be in the mix. Cam Matthews pours in a three. Jamal Kane to the line here. Jamal Kane in the starting lineup today. And chance to get off the scoring snot. He’s got his hands on a couple of rebounds and all he has to do is continue to play right now. The pace and the player for Timberwolves. The ball will find you and you’ll get your looks. Paul’s veteran of 81 NBA games with Miami and New Orleans this past season. In fact, in early April against Miami, 25 points, four of seven from three-point lands, one of three games of 18 or more in April. So, he had a good finish to this season. You do see the difference in guys with teams that have had guys that with the NBA experience to kind of know what it takes. just gives him a slight advantage and you want to see a jump for guys like that as well. Brown bats that one up and over. So it goes back to the Wolves. CJ Fton trying to run the offense here. Turns it over instead. Got to stay on the ground. Can’t jump. guys cover too much ground in the athleticism. You got to stay grounded playoff too. You won’t hang in the air long enough to outweigh the length of some of these defenders. Only two giveaways, two missed shots so far for Minnesota as Moses Brown goes to work. Good shot there by Moses Brown. Martz Brown at the other end denied. Rockets are lucky there. No one saw him. Better pass. He would have made a finish. Kennedy Chandler goes right past Roco Zakarski. Yeah, he froze. Sakarski didn’t know what to do. Fton surveys. 10 to shoot. Spins away from Wilson. That hits the brakes. Newton rising and hitting for three. Better job there by CJ Newton getting in the paint. off two Newton with the proper spacing in the strong side corner in the three. Martz Brown tripped up the ball handler Kennedy Chandler there. Gate drive there find Tristan Newton continue to move. Slides to that corner and knocks down his second triple here in the first quarter. It was waved by Indiana on the first day of the new year, then claimed on waiverss by Minnesota a couple days later, former 29th overall selection by the Pacers. Gives the foul as Brown attacks off the bounce. Sarski thinking, “Wait a minute. I’m expecting these guards to attack me off the bounce. I’m not expecting you, Moses Brown, to face me up and drive.” And he’s done that every time he’s touched the basketball. Moses coming off another productive season in the G-League for the Westchester Knicks with second all defensive team, second all G-League team. Had a really good year. The Emirates NBA Cup tips October 31st. The much anticipated tournament returns with all 30 teams in group play and eight advancing to the knockout rounds. But only one will capture the cup. Visit nba.com/nbacup to learn more. CJ Fton brings it for the Wolves. They built a healthy lead. He gets it back from Zakarsski and denied at the end. Malik Wilson got a piece. Bailey, not this time. Wilson’s there for the board. Deflection on the outlet. Wolves steal it back. Ball movement here. Bailey tried to deal too late. Yeah, he’s got to throw that up to Sakarski earlier. committed to it. Actually getting a little choppy here. We’ll get back on track after this on NBA TV. Men sweat more. And sweat can irritate your skin. [Music] [Music] Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Ah, [Music] a heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] That’s deep. That bump being able to be strong enough to still handle the basketball after you get bumped. And both of those guys lost in backto-back possessions. Wilson will take over the one as Chandler sits. Great possible at the high screen. Here’s the lob off the foam of the backboard. Rockets keep it. No reset. See if Harris can get going. Had a great start to summer league, but has cooled considerably. Yeah, he struggled the last couple of games being consistent knocking down shots. You and I both like Chris Ledham, the hoops that he brings off the bench. We do. He just he reminds you a little bit of Dylan Jones. I mean, he’s just below the rim guy. He just plays the right way with a level of energy here and competes on both ends of the floor. It’s a chase down block there by Let See his defense here, but he’s been a good reserve scoring option for Houston this week. Had 16 off the bench against Atlanta, 10 more against Portland on Thursday. He’s coming in with a physicality there. He got the foul. Just little things. The back screen there not called and he got hit and had to switch. the rim. Unkind to Mari Bailey there. Des Watson in the contest for Minnesota. Also Baba Carane grabs his own and puts it back there. Got it up on the glass. Staying active enough to be able to clean up his m his own mess. Led driving kick for Harris. Playing off one foot. Missed it all. Another rejection for Jesse Edwards. Yeah. Finishing at the rim with Jesse Edwards in will not be an easy task. Got to try to get an angle on him and great Osbor is really good at using the rim in his body. But guess that was really good timing the puck shot. He just got one more off the baseline inbound blocking Led’s jumper. Finally hit for a foul. He was on a block heater as Wilson takes the contact and converts. Got to get your body into him so he can’t jump. If he can time you, you got no shot. time you get him closing out. Great job by Malik Wilson using that rim. Was once the Sunb Belt freshman of the year at Louisiana, then jumped to Texas Tech for a year before catching on with Houston. What became a six-year college journey and nearly a national championship with Kelvin Samson tracks down his own miss free throw. Harris. Yes, sir. Finally. He’s like, “Man, what’s been going on? I can’t knock one down.” Finally gets a good look there. Good for him. Bailey, sweet pass. Sane denied. Been everywhere. He’s the defender. He gets that. He knows his only chance of making in this league is being a defender. Wow. Harris goes 0 to 60. There you go. We heard you talk about how slow start I mean he’s had to this last couple games and he started out fast and then struggled and he’s heating up and the Rockets need his scoring. Bailey Edwards spins it through and one two game Bailey Jesse Edwards didn’t like the mid-range too. Let me step back and knock down this three. There’s Bailey here coming off like for him to keep it maybe one more second. Give Edwards the option of going for the lob and a little more space, but Edwards doesn’t mind. He gets it. Takes the contact. Has a chance at an and one. Chandler’s back in for Houston. Edwards trying to cap the three-point play, averaging only six points per game and 13 minutes this week in summer league, but you think his run’s going to be extended here today given the state of both these rosters. And the final day here, a lot of guys not playing. And we’ll wonder if we’ll eventually see like the Knicks did, guys will play more in the first quarter, second half, and won’t play anymore. Final 15 seconds. Chandler downhill. I mean, this man is erasing everything at the rim. Four blocks for Jesse Edwards. I call these low percentage shots. You’re just going in there as a below the rim guy. If you don’t get proper angles and you got to get into his body there and cut him off. And if you actually can stop in there and play off two, you can draw fouls, but you’re not going to outlength Jesse Edwards. [Music] Chandler able to get him lifted. There you go. That’s how you do it. Deep in the game clock within a second to go on the shot clock. That was well navigated. Savvy play by Kennedy Chandler to squeeze some free throws out of it. You expect Jesse Edwards to do this. I mean, he’s been around a guy that’s known for playing defense and Rudy Goar. You expect him to be able to pick up a lot of points and when the timing of an effect defense and Rudy goar you expect him to be able to pick up a lot of points and when the timing of an effect on beer who I think drew a lot of attention with his hyper athleticism and shot blocking this week now he gets to go learn of the tutelage of the four time defensive player this week. Now he gets to go learn one of the toutelage of the four time defensive player of the year. Absolutely. Final six seconds. Amari Bailey and the Wolves have had all of the first quarter and that’s how they finished by Amari after one. Timberwolves 31, Rockets 22. Brandon Kohley, Jablonsky Auto. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] you have some of the most NBA experience here at summer league. Only two other guys tie you with six years. Why do you keep coming back? Um, just, you know, for the experience. I think it’s a good look and, you know, being around a lot of coaches that I’ve grown up with in this league and I think it’s just another great opportunity to be in front of the fans and in front of the GMs and, you know, get my next opportunity. Thanks so much. And thank you, Giana. As Tristan Newton hits, we’re back underway. Second quarter. Minnesota adding to its advantage. Great story there by Moses Brown. I mean, you’re cheering for a guy like that and his commitment and dedication to try to make it back in the league. And not many guys would take this route and be as consistent and determined as he is. Donna’s arms went spilling for Houston as Brown turns it over for Minnesota. Chandler looking for the roller. His pass deflected and intercepted. Scramble for the ball here. Arms had it knocked away by Brown. The block party continues for the Timberwolves. Mostly Edwards, but Martz Brown stepping into his shoes. Great timing there coming up off the vertical. Martez out of D2 Lincoln Memorial University of Tennessee. Harris inside the three-point line this time. Oabore wiped away by Zakarsski. That’s a goal. Yeah, OAR is going to have to figure out a way in dealing with all of this length. He’s got to get a floater or something. He is in in the paint with the trees. Zakarski goes up and just turns around and blocks it almost with his back turn. After knocking down a couple of threes, Kavan Harris gets that two. So, he’s on eight points. Good anticipation there. Adonis Arms will have to earn it at the strike. Dez Watson denying the highlight. Great job there by Arms getting in the passing lane there. You can see see the reversal. Shoots the gap. Knocks it down and he’s trying to push that, hammer that down. And know you still want to kind of get it out in front and finish it. You know someone’s coming. Probably didn’t anticipate they’d get there that fast. Adonis’s best game of the summer was against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. went for 24 and had seven assists. He’s flashed. He’s had he’s he’s had some moments here and they want to win a game in summer league. I think he and Harris are going to have to lead the way offensively. Kennedy Chantler’s been really solid and he shows the ability to create for himself and everyone else, all the other guys, but they need Harrison Arms to score the basketball. 0 and4 Rockets, the 4-0 Wolves. Final game for both these franchises before they head their separate ways and prepare for training camp. You got so much experience as an evaluator, right? Whether as a recruiter in the grassroots organization. Wonder what thoughts you have about how to evaluate the product here in summer league, right? Because you’re asking a lot of young men to do things that maybe they haven’t been used to previously or certainly won’t be asked to do when they get their next opportunity. Before you answer, let’s remind everyone that summer league action continues on NBA TV, ESPN, and the ESPN app. On ESPN, it’s the second semifinal between the Hornets and Thunder at 6:15 Eastern. Coming up next on NBA TV, Cavs and Warriors. Then tomorrow on ESPNU, Hawks, Celtics 6 Eastern at 8 Eastern, Grizzlies, Clippers. So I gave you all that extra time to think about this profound answer. And I actually remember the question. I usually Good for you. I’m not sure I do. Yeah. If my wife was here, I’d say, “Huh?” Remind our audience what the question was. The question was that, you know, evaluating talent and you know, what do these clubs go about? How do they go about evaluating the talent? I think sometimes in the summer league it’s you’re looking for guys to complement your big club and and guys that you know would fit the what coaches are trying to do is they call timeout here. Nobody wants you to answer. Nobody wants to hear. They don’t want to hear what I got to say. So which news? Is my wife on the call? I got one more question for you. [Music] [Music] summer league. How’s your week been? Uh, it’s been good. Um, not exactly what I wanted, but happy to be out here with the guys. We got a good young group. Um, all working together. We’ve been together all summer, so it was good. It was a little disappointing we didn’t get to go play in the playoffs, but we did what we were playing. That’s because you saw the rings that were out up for grabs, right? Yeah, for sure. Just missed it on scoring margin. Were did you guys talk about that much? I mean, were you conscious of it when you knew you would get to your fourth game and you undefeated? No, definitely. Uh, we was hoping for Charlotte to beat San Antonio so we get in, but then they beat him by 30. Uh, we was hoping for Charlotte to beat San Antonio so we get in, but then they beat him by 30, so then they got You wanted to beat it, but not that bad. Exactly. I was hoping for like a two-point win. Your guys can still leave undefeated with a win over these Rockets today. Let’s go back to actually we call it your red shirt freshman. We all know what you suffered at the end of your UCLA tenure. Go back to that rehab process and where you find yourself now. How fulfilling has that been? Uh man, I remember when I tore it, I didn’t know if that was it. Um there wasn’t a lot of It was before like we’ve had this little run of them. So I just looked up all the positive people that have came back from it. Um really Kevin Durant and Dominic Wilkins and I just saw how they were able to progress and they were both a lot older than I was at the time I tore my Achilles. So, uh, yeah, it gave me positive, um, um, just a positive mindset to go from, and I’m happy I am where I am now. How do you feel physically now to where you want to be knowing, you know, where you were before the injury? Yeah. Uh, a little while. Like my first summer league last year was horrible cuz I just had to play for so long. I had sat out and started training camp like a month before summer league. That was my first time ball in a year and a half. But um thankfully I tore my non-jumpling leg side so that makes the comeback a lot easier. You talked about some of the people that you reached out to for perspective. I don’t know if anyone’s reached out to you, but now that there’s the wave of the injury coming through, what advice would you offer for those dark days? Oh, uh first off, it’s not the end of the world. Uh when I tore mine, I was looking at at least I’ll be able to walk again someday. At least I’ll be able to go out and be with my friends. There’s people that have real life injuries that take their lifestyle away from them. Um, and second of all, don’t rush it. I’ The few I’ve seen that have reour anything is they’re trying to get back as fast as possible, and this is something that you can’t really speed up. How will you feel? How does that affect you defensively? You’re a two-way player, and not a lot of guys buy into that. And let’s talk about you just your game and translating it to the big club. How do you feel that you are and and and being able to bring that that that energy and defensive end of the presence to this ball game? Yeah, I mean, if you watch me in college, that’s really all I did was um I just take pride in it. I don’t like and I’ve never The only person that’s ever scored on me like in hell in college was TJ. We played him in Vegas. Me and him always joke about it. He had like 30 something. But I just take pride in it. Uh it’s really it’s just something that you got to want to do. A good jump. Go ahead and call it Roco Zakarsski. Yeah. No, so that’s just something you got to take pride in, man. And there’s not a lot of people that want to do all the little things. Um, everybody knows about the Anthony Edwards, but they don’t know about like the Marcus Martins and stuff like that. And they don’t see their impact on as a brighter scale. So, and I mean there’s only one Anthony Edwards that I know of. So, it’s a lot easier to take the route I’m taking. want to ask about what your journey was like last year with this team and in the context of you just being all about winning the final four run at UCLA. I remember you guys were on track to be a one seed before your injury and getting shaken up. So that’s really all you’ve known at the highest level. Like to be a part of a organization right now that’s playing for the Ultimate Cross. Yeah. No, it’s it’s weird. I’ve never been a part of a losing organization my whole life. Like everywhere I’ve been, I’ve won at some type of level. Like you said, UCLA my last year would have been a one seed before I tore my Achilles. Um yeah, my journey last year was crazy. Going from the G-League, um going to games to starting all in a matter of two, three weeks. Oh yeah, Roco. There we go. We’re talking about the big club here. Backto back Western Conference finals. Yeah. You coming into that just as you see here, another block. It’s been a block party going on here. He didn’t clap for the dunk. No, no, no. It’s only the defense. He’s a defensive guy. That’s Jaylen’s personality. He’s a defensive guy. Yeah, I love Rocco. He’s Australian. He reminds me of Joe. Just how they talk and carry themselves. It’s hilarious. What have you learned from those guys doing, you know, from your veteran guys doing the run you guys have had the last couple years? Um Oh, my fault. Uh really just um putting in the work matters. Uh like Aunt just sent the picture of him working out and he’s like, “What the hell are y’all doing?” like he like they he sets the standard high and when you trying to get behind somebody you got to see the example being set. So just being able to get behind a guy that’s 22 23 it’s crazy. Me and him are two months apart like but yeah just seeing somebody that’s putting in that amount of effort and work and you’re seeing the results it’s like I don’t got a choice but to go ahead and get better and that’s kind of infectious. And then you have someone like TJ who’s there at 6:30 in the morning. You have someone who’s there every night. So, it’s just you don’t have a choice but to get better. And then we have our great fan base in Minnesota and the way they’re supporting. We want to keep bringing them wins and hopefully a championship that the city deserves. You’ve never seemed like someone who lacks for motivation. So, I’m not sure that you can take it to the next level, but when you see maybe some expanded minutes available for the likes of Terrence and Rob and yourself, what does that mean for your off season? Oh, man. It got to work. Like I feel like in the NBA a lot of people have like a whole bunch of I was so close stories and I’m not going to have one of those. Like if I if I don’t make it, it’s not because I didn’t do everything in my power to like possibly have myself in the best position condition and whatever to be able to go out there and perform every night. Everybody’s looking for a national defensive player of the year and a player with that mentality. So I I think there’s always going to be a roster spot for somewhere for a guy like yourself. Yeah. Yeah. Yes, sir. What’s the biggest thing that you’re trying to improve on as you transition to playing in the NBA as well? What’s your biggest jump? Uh, I feel like for me more offensive side of the ball. Oh, good steal Omar. Run with him. Another Bruin going to the cup. Yes, sir. They’re everywhere. The Bruins coming out in Vegas. Uh, oh, my fault. Now, John, I I was about to say you’ve got a good eye for like tracking the game and having conversation, too. You got some broadcasting or podcasting? Hopefully. I would like I would like to. I had a YouTube channel when I was younger. I was big on that. Uh my coach Cronin, he told me, “Do I want to be a YouTuber or a basketball player though?” What are you trying to do offensively though? You just trying to be more of a catch and shoot guy. What part of your game are you trying to add to make an impact? Yeah, more catch, shoot. Uh just relax for real. I feel like I have all this pressure on me cuz uh that’s another UCLA guy. I was going to say the play. Yeah. No, just um relax. Uh make the easy play, man. Uh, it’s not a secret. I’m not out here to get paid on the offensive side of the ball. I just got to be a plus offensive player, right? And I think the rest of it will take care of itself. Um, the more time you out there, the more leeway you get, the more experience you get. So, I just got to do enough to be able to stay stay and stick on the court right now. And then from there, I thought I’ll be able to grow my game the same way I did in college. And my freshman year, I started off playing center at 6’4. No, I got a hand up faster. Donis Arms there. Yeah. Yeah, I remember him. He went to Texas Tech, I believe. Sure did. Undrafted in 22. All right, we’re going to give you a chance to audition. All right. On NBA TV, we’re going to give you a defensive play at three. Break it down for us. Tell us what’s going on with you. Oh, yeah. Well, I saw him read that. He was looking at the pass away. That’s a great finish. Amari is of a crafty player. Wait, what is that? That’s Martz Brown walking into a triple, too, to back it up. Oh, yeah. Defense and offense. That’s the hardest thing when you first get in here is that when a producer is talking in your ear, you got to listen, but you can’t react to it. No one else can hear it. But just so you know, I swear on my screen I saw Amari. I didn’t see Mart. All right, I’m learning. N this is dope for sure. This is super cool. Oh, good steal. We out. One more. Yep. Lay him. Hey, the Bruin takeover in the booth and on the court. Yeah. No, I love playing with Amari. That was like one of my favorite teammates when we were at UCLA together. What have you seen your growth in him? Oh man, he because he’s so young. I mean, I think in this league, people forget like Rob isn’t even 21 yet. No, maybe. People see us on TV and just assume we’re like, “Oh yeah, lay him.” Oh. Um, but yeah. No, just his maturity, man. Like Amari is a talented player. He’s a kid that’s been through a lot. Um, had a different route. Was highly touted as a a high school player. I played him my whole life. We’re both from California. Way to keep an eye on Jesse. Um but yeah, no, he has all the potential in the world. If he gets a shot, he plays defense, he can shoot, he’s crafty, he has a handle. I think he just needs to get to the right situation and um someone to allow him to showcase some of those talents and he’d be able to stick for sure. When you’re in practice and you’re playing against your and your wins are the stops. Yeah. What’s the score going to 10? Hey, me and him play all year. It’s funny. He was just working out this summer and I told him I’m locking that up and he was like, “Oh, we going to see in training camp. I’m getting ready for you. I’m getting ready for you.” But honestly, if we played the 10 uh and it stopped you get a point for stop. Where we going from Check it out? Let’s go. Oh, that’s great right there. I hate to tell you. I know. It’s been so fun. You’re going to be a great broadcaster, but I hope it’s at least a decade down the road after You know I was going to send that clip to man when you said you was winning about to say 10. I appreciate y’all man. one as you see coming back from that Achilles injuries takes some time and for him is he’s not only making the adjustment to the jump to the NBA he’s also getting healthy but for him there’s always room for a guy like that that embraces defense everybody wants a guy like that and particularly in a wing with size you know at 6’4 65 you know you got to have guys like that to be successful in the NBA to make deep runs. And you just look at both of these teams. I mean, the Rockets are loaded with guys that can defend on the wing. And talking about, you know, the Timberwolves obviously embraced defense with Go Bear being a full-time defensive player of the year. And you see the impact they’ve in protecting the rim and what means to them. So having a guy that can defend on the perimeter again, he’s just got to work on can he develop knocking down shots consistently. Matthews from arms in transition. arms are starting to pick it up. We talked about him and he Harris needs to step up offensively and they have done so and they’re keeping the Rockets in this game. Do you think Minnesota is closer to breaking through and the West are being overtaken by a team like perhaps? Yeah, it’s hard to say. It’s an easy thing to say. I think you get better sometimes by retaining your own. you just take a step and when you got a player like Anthony Edwards, you there’s nothing you can do. You don’t put a limit on and he’s a flatout superstar and and you don’t put a limit on that. Um, as a fan of the NBA, I would have loved to have seen Kevin Durant with a guy like that just to see what they could have done together. Um, but again, Kevin Durant’s gone to a great situation over in Houston. So, um, now he goes there and and and you want to say, “Hey, you know what that’s going to mean? late game situations when I need a basket for them which is what they were lacking. So it’s hard to say right now which area makes you that much better but I do say just the impact of having a Kevin around we know where that is. I think that helps like a re sheepard here. Terren Shannon Jr. is a guy that played late, got a lot of minutes, experienced player, and now his minutes will go up and only add depth to a organization who has been to the Western Conference final in a loaded West and their next step is got to be winning a championship and you always have that with an Anthony Edwards. Do you see a clear top three in Oklahoma City, Denver, and then Houston? Is there separation there before you get to the Lakers and Clippers and Timberwolves? Well, you look at the new Clippers and what they look like. You know, you’re talking about the pieces that they added. You know, you were telling me LA already made a move that the Lakers Yeah, the Lakers did. The Lakers just added Marcus Smart. So, the Rockers, like we just said earlier on the broadcast, it’s a 365 24/7 accusition. And today, the Lakers just added Marcus Smart. Like, that’s a big ad to those guys because he’s one of those guys. He’s a Jaylen Clark type of, you know, well, Jayen Clark wants to be like him as a defender, but having that perimeter defender like a guy like that and it’s big on a on a Laker squad. So, we’ll see the impact that he has. Cam Matthews drains that three. Fast start for the Timberwolves, but the Rockets have stayed connected. Ship been up for a good second half game here. Harris has picked it back up. We talked about it. really good offensively early in the week. Settled down and he’s picked it back up. Tristan Newton dared to launch and he buries the three. It’s the one knock on Tristan Newton. Can he knock down consistently the three ball and that’s his third one here in the first half. Down 10. Rockets get the last. Chandler through the lane. Hits the breaks. Matthews over Kane. He’s fouled. Jamal Kane too aggressive on that close out as the horn sounds. Want to contest. They’ve got a lot of block shots. You know, they want to contest shots, but you do not want to foul a three-point shooter.
Houston Rockets vs minnesota timberwolves GAME 1st-2nd | Jul 19 2025 | NBA 2K26 Summer League Today
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