Updated March 26, 2026, 9:21 a.m. CT

MINNEAPOLIS — For the second time in three days, the Houston Rockets’ locker room was quiet postgame, as players sat in silence trying to figure out what just happened on the court.

On Monday, the team squandered an opportunity versus a decimated Chicago Bulls team, which can’t wait for the season to end to see where they fall in the NBA’s 2026 draft lottery.

It was an embarrassing loss for Houston (43-29) as the playoffs approach, but letdowns happen in the NBA throughout the season. Plenty of teams that have their eyes on the postseason have dropped games to lesser opponents.

No big deal, right?

One easy way to get over a horrible loss is to move on to the next game and let the previous one go. With the Minnesota Timberwolves up next and without All-Star guard Anthony Edwards (knee inflammation), the Rockets figured they could bounce back with a win and gain some ground in the playoff race.

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Ultimately, that plan was foiled. After storming back from an 11-point deficit with less than four minutes left in regulation to force overtime, Houston blew a 13-point lead in the final three minutes of overtime to lose, 110-108 (box score), to the Timberwolves.

Minnesota finished overtime on a 15-0 run.

Too often this season, the Rockets have encountered similar situations, and they have usually ended in a similar fashion to Wednesday night’s game.

In February at New York, they were up 18 points in the fourth quarter versus the Knicks before squandering the lead.

In December at New Orleans, the Rockets had a 25-point lead in the third quarter before losing in overtime to the Pelicans.

I could repeat similar scenarios against other teams. By now, the point is evident: The Rockets have had a major issue finishing games, and it has cost them in the Western Conference playoff seeding. In recent days, they have dropped from No. 3 to No. 6 in the West standings, and only 10 regular-season games are left to play.

Finishing at fifth or lower would mean opening the 2026 playoffs without home-court advantage and on the road, where Houston is now 18-19 this season.

During his postgame press conference from Minnesota, where the fifth-seeded Timberwolves (45-28) expanded their lead in the standings, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka could no longer contain his anger and frustration.

When asked if a loss of this magnitude would come back to haunt them, Udoka did not bite his tongue.

“A lot have this year,” said an aggravated Udoka. “That’s (Minnesota) just the worst one of them.”

Prior to Wednesday, over the previous 29 seasons, NBA teams were 0-180 when trailing by 10 or more points in overtime. Minnesota’s 13-point rally was the largest overtime comeback in the play-by-play era.

Forward Kevin Durant has also been frustrated by the late-game collapses, and he had a straightforward answer when asked about the mishaps with late-game execution.

“Missed shots, to be honest,” said Durant, who scored 30 points but shot just 9-of-22 (40.9%) while committing six turnovers.

“Not knocking down shots and turning the ball over. Late in the game, we don’t make shots.”

Durant also elaborated on how to bounce back from two horrible defeats during their four-game road trip, which will take them Memphis on Friday before ending in New Orleans on Sunday.

“Our preparations has to continue to step up,” said Durant. “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves because we lost two in a row. We have to continue to have preparation as individuals and as a team.”

More: ‘Not prepared’: Bulls drop defenseless Rockets to No. 6 in West