RSS Rockets Team Notes

[Houston Rockets]

Rockets back in action versus Knicks

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 19: Tari Eason #17 and Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets celebrate after a play during the second half of a basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on February 19, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Houston Rockets vs New York Knicks​

February 21, 2026​

Location: Madison Square Garden — New York, NY

TV: ABC

Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790

Online: Rockets App, SCHN+

Time: 7:30pm pm CST

Probable Starting Lineups​

Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun

Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunnoby, Karl-Anthony Towns

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...rockets-back-in-action-versus-new-york-knicks

 

[Houston Rockets]

Rockets could reach an inflection point this Summer

So, yeah.

Uhh…

This is awkward.

A burner. In a group chat full of “stan” accounts. Speaking poorly of his teammates.

What?

Well, it’s a testament to your poor judgment if you expect emotional maturity from NBA superstars. This man has been exalted for 20 years. Shame is likely less of a variable in his life than it is in yours or mine.

That said, it is imperative (potentially for legal reasons, and if not certainly for journalistic integrity) to note that we do not know if it was Durant.

It does feel like it was Durant, though, doesn’t it?

He had every opportunity to deny it. Deflection without denial is suspect at best. If you suspect your partner of cheating, and when confronted, they tell you, “I’m not here to talk about all that cheating nonsense”…

I have got bad news for you.

Still, speculation is speculative in nature. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. Here’s the rub:

The Rockets may have to make a choice this summer anyway.

Rockets might reach an inflection point​

Theoretically, there are three options:

1. Do nothing.
2. Win-now moves
3. Future-focused moves

If the Rockets win a playoff series, option 1 will likely appeal. The theory that re-inserting Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams into the equation will yield sufficient improvement will carry some weight.

What if they don’t?

I just spilled ample ink on how important Fred VanVleet is. So much as I stand by that, it would be a bit hard to accept that a first-round exit team would be vaulted into serious title contention by his low assist-to-turnover ratio. If the Rockets can’t win one playoff series, it’s hard decision time.

In essence, that means either Antetokounmpo season, or sending Durant to the Hornets team he (allegedly) so openly admires.

Most Rockets fans will prefer the latter route. It’s understandable. There is a prevalent parasocial attachment to the “young core.” It’s human.

The fact that I’m impervious to it may be a subject for therapy.

Here’s a harsh reality check: That young core is getting older. Life comes at you fast. Statistically speaking, NBA players tend to level off, improvement-wise, around year 5, or age 25. Here’s a whole academic study if you need something*

*I only read the abstract, but the information is there.

Alperen Sengun is 23, and over halfway to 24. Amen Thompson is the same age. By now, the Rockets’ front office should at least be considering the possibility that Sengun just won’t ever be as efficient around the rim as his best-case comparisons are. They have to be entertaining the idea that Thompson will never have a workable jump shot.

Ergo, they have to be considering the possibility that they didn’t draft “the guy”.

None of which is to say this choice is easy. This team is still talented. Houston could trade Durant for rotational guys and a first-round pick. They could forge ahead as a perennial first or second-round exit, hoping to strike gold in the draft. It’s legitimately not a bad plan.

Here’s the only strong conclusion I’m looking to draw here: If the Rockets don’t win a playoff series, Option 1 should not be attractive to them. It’s a waste of everyone’s time. If they can’t get that far in 2025-26, something substantive should change this summer.

Even if it makes for some awkward conversations.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...t-could-reach-an-inflection-point-this-summer

 

[Houston Rockets]

Rockets crumble late against Knicks, fall 108-106

Houston’s effective offense and solid board play allowed them to take a commanding early lead, going up to 18 points in the first three quarters.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Knicks were behind 91-75, but they totally turned the tide thanks to defense and clutch shots, pulling off one of their largest comebacks of the year. After Houston had a sizeable lead going into the fourth quarter, the Knicks began to run away with the game as Houston began to turn the ball over.

After being smothered for the first three quarters, Jalen Brunson made a midrange jump shot over Tari Eason to take the lead with 29 seconds remaining, tying the score at 103. In all honesty, Brunson really came alive in the fourth and had a tremendous final quarter. A jump shot that would have knotted the game was missed by Kevin Durant. Jabari Smith Jr. missed a contested 3-pointer after Houston grabbed the offensive rebound, causing the Rockets to intentionally foul.

Before Durant’s 3-pointer, Houston was behind by four points. Durant had another chance, a near half-court heave that missed, but the Knicks made one of their two free throws, sealing a heartbreaking 108-106 defeat.

Despite leading Houston with 30 points, Durant had a terrible fourth quarter, shooting only 2-for-7 and causing three of Houston’s nine turnovers.In the fourth quarter, the Rockets’ field goal percentage was 27.8%. After three quarters with 12 points on 2-for-8 shooting, Brunson finished with 20 points after making all four of his baskets in the last quarter. New York was led by Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 25 points. Alperen Şengün and Jabari Smith Jr. made significant contributions that helped Houston manage rebounds and transition offense.

Rockets will look to get back on track Monday as they return to Toyota Center to take on the Utah Jazz at 8:30. As always, make sure to check back here at the Dreamshake for pre- and postgame coverage.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...-rockets-crumble-late-against-new-york-knicks

 

[Houston Rockets]

Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz game preview

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 1: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets and Kevin Love #42 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game on December 1, 2025 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Houston Rockets wrapped up a tough seven-game stretch across the All-Star break at 3-4. It started poorly with two bad losses, but after a bit of recovery, Rockets fans should feel like there was meat left on the bone in losses to the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks.

On paper, tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz should be a welcome reprieve from the difficult games of the past few weeks. However, these Rockets have played up and down to their competition all year. In fact, Houston already has a loss to these Jazz, who have played Houston tougher than they have against anyone else over the past two years. Seriously, watch the Jazz against another playoff team and you’ll see a team that can’t wait to roll over and tank. Against Houston? For some reason, it’s personal for this iteration of Utah.

Maybe the Rockets will play hard in the fourth quarter tonight, since that’s been Ime Udoka’s solution to all of Houston’s poor fourth quarters. Not, you know, his poor rotation choices and lack of any offensive game plan beyond “Give the ball to Kevin and hope.”

Tip-off​

8:30pm CT

How To Watch​

Space City Home Network and Peacock

Injury Report​

Rockets​

Steven Adams: OUT

Fred VanVleet: OUT

Jazz​

Jaren Jackson Jr.: OUT

Lauri Markkanen: GTD

Keyonte George: GTD

Jusuf Nurkic: OUT

Walker Kessler: OUT

The Line (as of this post)​

HOU -14.5

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can​

Wednesday night at home against the Sacramento Kings

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rockets-game-previews/38481/houston-rockets-vs-utah-jazz-game-preview

 

[Houston Rockets]

Rockets are the victims of a 30-year curse

It’s hard to watch.

Dear God, it’s hard to watch. This season has been an abject disaster.

Not from a rational point of view. It’s been a disappointment by any measure. The Houston Rockets wanted to be better this year. They were supposed to be title contenders. Deep, structural roster flaws have been exposed. The trade machine’s server is being overloaded in Southeast Texas (and, to be honest, from one refurbished MacBook Air in Eastern Canada).

But it’s not truly a disaster. The Rockets are likely to have homecourt advantage in the first round of a season where their starting point guard hasn’t played a game. They have a surplus of young players and future first-round picks. It’s only been disastrous from the perspective of how much fans expected to enjoy the year, relative to how much they have. Here’s the good news:

It’s not their fault.

The 2025-26 season has been cursed. The working theory is that the team made a deal with the Devil ahead of the 1993-94 season. The Prince of Darkness agreed to persuade Michael Jordan to play baseball. In exchange, the Rockets would be wildly disappointing once per decade from the moment Jordan returned.

I’m not crazy, you’re crazy.

Rockets suffer from a generational curse​

Let’s go back to 1995-96.

I wasn’t even ten yet, so I can’t offer a firsthand account. I can tell you that Houston switched from the iconic ketchup-and-mustard jerseys that they’d thrived in for so long to the navy pinstripe duds that I loved as a child and retroactively identify as a downgrade.

Although only Bret “The Hitman” Hart tickles my nostalgia bone as strongly as that little cartoon Rocket.

Anyway, the rest is history. The Rockets were still good in 1995-96. It’s hard to point to any one player’s decline and explain their shortcomings. They were, seemingly, just marginally worse than before. They could not get past the (soon-to-be revived) Seattle Supersonics in the second round, and the dynasty that never was died.

The Rockets would inexplicably acquire Charles Barkley, get worse, get old, rebuild, draft Steve Francis, get even worse, (deep breath), draft Yao Ming, trade for Tracy McGrady, and start to get better.

The 2004-05 season was one for the books. Sure, the Rockets lost in the first round. Nobody cared. They were built around a 24-year-old Ming and a 25-year-old McGrady (which, in NBA terms, was younger at a time when Tim Duncan played in college for four years). The future was bright.

And then…

The Devil came collecting. It had been ten years since 1995-96. Ming and McGrady would both miss time with injuries, establishing a motif for their time together in Houston. The Rockets won 34 games.

They’d win 50+ games for the next three seasons. The Devil was indifferent. The curse was lifted. Injuries would eventually limit their star duo’s upside, leaving the Rockets to rebuild again. They toiled in mediocrity for a few years until James Harden entered the picture. He instantly established himself as a franchise-caliber talent. In 2014-15, he and Dwight Howard would lead the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals.

And then…

It was difficult to account for. The Rockets retained most of their key players. Ty Lawson was the can’t-miss acquisition that missed, but even if it was a case of subtraction-by-addition, he was quickly out of the rotation. As it was in ’96, the Rockets were kind of just… worse.

Defenses had figured them out. Stop Harden, and you stop everyone. Howard wasn’t getting post touches, rightfully or not. Houston didn’t have a way to generate offense if Harden wasn’t cooking.

That’s why they got Chris Paul. It’s why they made another Conference Finals trip in 2017-18, only this time, it actually felt like they might win. We all know what happened and how it got us to where we are now.

The last two seasons were fun. The post-Harden tank was over. A .500 season in 2023-24 was acceptable to everyone. A first-round exit after a 52-win season last year was defensible. The team was young.

This year? Nobody is satisfied. Blame Ime Udoka’s offensive ingenuity. Blame Reed Sheppard’s size. Blame Amen Thompson’s broken jumper, or Alperen Sengun’s broken touch. Blame whoever you like:

I’ll blame the Devil.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...on-rockets-are-the-victims-of-a-30-year-curse