Rockets Claim Fifth Seed In West

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: Head Coach Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on May 02, 2025 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

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When the Rockets acquired superstar forward Kevin Durant last summer, they certainly hoped they would finish higher than fifth in the conference standings; after all, they were the second seed just a season ago. But with their season derailed by injuries to starting point guard Fred VanVleet and backup center Steven Adams, expectations became lowered. Earlier last week, Houston clinched the fifth seed in the Western Conference. They await results to determine if they will start the postseason facing the Los Angeles Lakers or the Denver Nuggets.

The Rockets went 3-1 last week, having an eight-game winning streak snapped. On Sunday, they beat the Golden State Warriors, 117-116, spoiling Steph Curry’s return from injury. Durant led Houston with 31 points while Curry scored 29 points in just 26 minutes. Then on Tuesday, they visited Phoenix, beating the Suns, 119-105, in a game that was chippy from the opening tip. The Rockets were facing guard Jalen Green, who they traded last summer for Durant, for the very first time since the trade. Green had missed the previous matchups due to injury. Green scored just 15 points on 5-for-14 from the floor, perhaps reminding Rockets brass why they traded him. On Thursday, Houston beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 113-102, exhibiting the same fourth quarter woes that have plagued them all season. The Rockets led by 23 after three quarters but Philadelphia used a 16-0 to get within 101-94 with just five minutes to play. And on Friday, Houston lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 136-132, finally having their string of wins snapped. While the game was somewhat of a glorified exhibition, Amen Thompson had what was maybe the best game of his career, scoring 41 points.

The Rockets now sit at 51-30 before Sunday night’s season finale against Memphis. They are locked into the fifth seed. If Houston wins, the Rockets will match last season’s win total of 52-30. The Rockets no doubt hope to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the postseason’s opening round. The status of star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves is in question due to injuries both players suffered in recent weeks. Houston is hoping to advance in the postseason for the first time since 2020.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com