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Rockets Closing Out A Rollercoaster Season
TL;DR
The Houston Rockets have won eight of their last nine games, securing the fifth seed in the playoffs. They await their first-round opponent, either the Lakers or the Nuggets, after a tumultuous season marked by the loss of Fred VanVleet to a season-ending injury.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 20: Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors battles for the rebound with Amen Thompson #1 and Steven Adams #12 of the Houston Rockets in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
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At the time of writing, the Rockets have won eight of their last nine games, with only the season finale against Memphis on Sunday night remaining before the playoffs. They have locked up the fifth seed and wait to learn whether they will open the first round of the postseason at Los Angeles, to play the Lakers, or at Denver, to take on the Nuggets.
The season for Houston has been quite the rollercoaster. After the offseason trade which brought All-Star forward Kevin Durant to Houston, in exchange for guard Jalen Green and forward Dillon Brooks, expectations were high. It was believed that Houston was ready to take the final step in its rebuild, to contender status, after winning 52 games last season and claiming the West’s second seed. They were ready to graduate from feel-good story to serious threat to win the West. But those dreams came crashing down when, before the season even tipped off, starting point guard Fred VanVleet was declared out for the season after tearing his ACL. Later in the year, the Rockets indicated, per reports, that they would not have made the trade for Durant had VanVleet suffered his injury beforehand.
But the Rockets burst out of the gates after the opener, hovering amongst the league’s best teams for the first several weeks of the season. They were top five in offensive rating, defensive rating, and net rating. For a good chunk of the season, they led the entire league in net rating. But then the wheels came off. Now, on the eve of the postseason, they are seventh in net rating, eighth in offensive rating, and seventh in defensive rating.
Arguably, the big turning point on Houston’s season was the ankle injury suffered by Steven Adams on January 18, 2026, in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Adams was diagnosed with a Grade 3 sprain, which ultimately required season-ending surgery announced on January 27, 2026. Since Adams’ injury, the Rockets have been eleventh in net rating, fourteenth in offensive rating, and tenth in defensive rating. It changed everything for their season outlook and probably contributed to the decision by general manager Rafael Stone to stay pat at the trade deadline.
Now Houston heads to the postseason. They don’t expect to make a serious push for the title, but at the least, they hope they can show promise to build upon for next season when VanVleet and Adams return.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Q&A
What was the impact of Fred VanVleet's injury on the Houston Rockets' season?
Fred VanVleet's season-ending ACL injury significantly affected the Rockets, leading them to reconsider their trade for Kevin Durant, which was made under different expectations.
Who will the Houston Rockets face in the first round of the playoffs?
The Rockets will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs, depending on the outcome of the final games.
How did the Houston Rockets perform in the last part of the season?
The Rockets finished strong, winning eight of their last nine games as they prepared for the playoffs, securing the fifth seed in the Western Conference.
