Phoenix Suns go cold from 3, struggle on defense against Rockets
The Phoenix Suns dropped a game and went 0-2 against the Houston Rockets on Dec. 5, 2025.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Phoenix Suns were rolling at the time they pulled off a 114-113 stunner Nov. 21 against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Mortgage Matchup Center.
It was the ninth victory for Phoenix in a 10-2 stretch. The Suns followed with a victory on Nov. 23 over San Antonio, but they’ve gone 2-4 since.
The Suns (13-10) face the Timberwolves (15-8) again on Monday, Dec. 8, at Target Center. The 5:30 p.m. MST game will be televised on Peacock, Arizona’s Family Sports and 3TV.
Phoenix’s last six games have come against five opponents, who have a combined record of 78-36.
The Suns defeated the Sacramento Kings (6-17) and Los Angeles Lakers (17-6), but they’ve lost to the Houston Rockets (15-6) twice, fell to defending NBA champion Oklahoma City (23-1), winners of its last 15 games, and were defeated by the Denver Nuggets (17-6).
Dillon Brooks is listed as questionable for the game with left Achilles soreness, while Devin Booker (right groin strain), Jalen Green (right hamstring strain) and two-way player Isaiah Livers (right hip strain) are all ruled out.
Minnesota has won its last five games, the T-Wolves have defeated the Boston Celtics and Spurs at home, took two in New Orleans and edged the Los Angeles Clippers, 109-106, at home. The Celtics (15-9), Spurs (15-7), Pelicans (3-21) and Clippers (6-18) have a combined record of 39-55.
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Mark Williams’ huge first half, Suns up at break
Mark Williams came into Monday’s game averaging 12.7 points and 8.7 rebounds in his first season in Phoenix.
He has a team-high 14 points and four rebounds in leading Phoenix to a 61-57 halftime lead. Grayson Allen has added 11 points, but has three personal fouls.
The Suns are out of challenges after being successful on the two that NBA teams are allotted in a game.
Anthony Edwards leads all scorers with 21 points. He scored 41 in Minnesota’s 114-113 loss to the Suns last month in Phoenix.
Rudy Gobert has 12 points and eight rebounds. The Timberwolves are just 6-of-21 from 3.
Edwards, Brooks available for Suns-Timberwolves rematch
Suns forward Dillon Brooks has been upgraded to available for against Minnesota as he was previously listed as questionable with left Achilles soreness.
He was a game-time decision.
The Suns will start Collin Gillespie, Grayson Allen, Brooks, Royce O’Neale and Mark Williams. This is the same starting lineup from the Suns’ loss at Houston.
Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards and reserve Terrence Shannon Jr. have been upgraded to available as they were previously listed as questionable with an illness.
The T-Wolves are starting Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert.
The Suns edged the T-Wolves in their first meeting, 114-113, last month in Phoenix.
Edwards and Brooks had their share of verbal exchanges in the game, but Brooks got the last word as Edwards missed two free throws late that led to Gillespie’s game-winning shot.
“They were talking too early and I love that,” Brook said after the Suns’ win on Nov. 21 over the T-Wolves. “When guys get too confident and once the pressure starts heating up, their eyes start getting big and they start getting scared.”
Injury updates: Edwards added to T-Wolves report
T-Wolves All-Star guard Anthony Edwards and backup guard Terrence Shannon Jr. are both now on the team’s injury report, listed as questionable due to illness.
Suns forward Dillon Brooks remains questionable with left Achilles soreness as he’s coming off a 23-point effort in last week’s loss at Houston in his return game. Brooks played two seasons for the Rockets, as he was traded to Phoenix in the Kevin Durant deal.
Suns guards Devin Booker (right groin strain), Jalen Green (right hamstring strain) and two-way player Isaiah Livers (right hip strain) are ruled out of the game.
Booker did post morning shootaround work and is scheduled for a re-evaluation this week. Booker didn’t play in Phoenix’s loss Dec. 5 to the Rockets.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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