Without head coach Rick Adelman, the Wolves fell to Houston at Target Center Monday 107-89 despite the return of Kevin Love to the lineup.
It was revealed about an hour before game time that Adelman was missing Monday’s contest for a personal reason, and it was unknown whether his absence had to do with his wife’s health, which caused him to miss 11 games last season.
All-Star starter Love returned to the lineup for the Wolves after missing Saturday’s loss to Portland with a bruised quad, and led Minnesota with 31 points and 10 rebounds.
But every Houston starter scored in double-figures and things came easily for the Rockets offense, not the case for a Minnesota offense that shot just 35 percent from the field.
Former Wolves general manager and coach Kevin McHale’s Rockets are now 35-17 on the year, while Minnesota falls four games below .500, their worst mark against even of the season.
The Wolves expect to have Adelman back Wednesday when they take on the Nuggets, their final game before the All-Star break.
