The Houston Rockets had high hopes that acquiring Kevin Durant would be a game-changer, propelling them into serious contention. However, a series of unfortunate injuries and a host of self-inflicted problems are now threatening to derail their entire season.
Head Coach Ime Udoka is certainly not having an easy time lately. Earlier in the week, he had to endure and then manage a disastrous start from his Houston Rockets team during their loss in Chicago. By Thursday night, the situation only deteriorated further.
To recap: «A miserable start. We didn’t take the game seriously at all, weren’t ready from the beginning, and simply weren’t aggressive,» the 48-year-old coach grumbled after the 124-132 defeat to the Bulls. «We just chased them around and watched them shoot.»
Just two days later, his team seemed prepared and competitive for much of the game, only to completely collapse and embarrass themselves in overtime against the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the laughingstock of the basketball world. In brief: the Rockets took a 13-0 lead in OT, then conceded 15 consecutive points.
«We did everything to let them back into the game,» Udoka stated this time. He felt his team relaxed too much. «We acted as if the game was over.» When asked by a reporter if this particular loss had the potential to haunt the Rockets, Houston’s coach replied, «A few have this year, but this is the worst.»
Houston Rockets: Likely to Miss Previous Season’s Record
While it might seem counterintuitive to associate «Houston» with «problems,» it’s impossible to ignore the concerning downward trend in their season’s trajectory at a critical time. There were periods this season when the Rockets appeared to be the hottest team, trailing only the nearly unbeatable OKC Thunder – essentially, the best of the rest. However, those periods are long gone. Houston, with its current 43-29 record and sixth place in the Western Conference, has settled into the upper-middle tier.
Surpassing last season’s impressive 52 wins would still be possible, but it would require the Texans to win all their remaining games. Given recent performances, this seems highly unlikely, even if their remaining schedule isn’t the most daunting.
Two Devastating Blows: Season-Ending Injuries for Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet
Returning to the root of their issues, the most glaring problems are the absences. Steven Adams is profoundly missed in every aspect of the game. The center, who underwent surgery on his left ankle in late January, is sidelined for the remainder of the season.
The New Zealander’s exceptional rebounding skills were crucial. His absence is particularly felt on offense, where Adams consistently created second-chance opportunities. His role as the primary backup for co-star Alperen Sengün also cannot be underestimated.
Then, of course, there’s the absence of point guard Fred VanVleet, who suffered an ACL tear before the season even began and is highly unlikely to return for the playoffs. Recent statements from Udoka all strongly suggest a definitive season-ending absence for VanVleet. Despite Amen Thompson’s talent—his athletic potential, defense, and exceptional transition skills—he is not a true playmaker or tempo-setter. While the 23-year-old can play point guard, it’s not his exclusive role.
Not to mention his non-existent shooting. Thompson poses no threat from beyond the arc; his three-point shot is practically non-existent (averaging 0.3 per game with a conversion rate just over 20 percent).
More Rockets Problems: Bench Production, Turnovers, Crunch-Time Jitters
The bench production is also nearly non-existent. As of March 25th, the Rockets’ bench averages just 28 points, making it the weakest in the entire league. New acquisition Dorian Finney-Smith, who arrived in the summer alongside Durant and was touted as a significant reinforcement, has been a complete disappointment. Similar sentiments can be said about Clint Capela. Josh Okogie, despite having a generally strong season, has noticeably declined recently.
This slump also applies notably to Tari Eason’s three-point shooting, which surprisingly seemed like a highly reliable weapon at the start of the season. In his first eleven games, he shot an incredible 50.9 percent from deep, but in March, he’s managed an abysmal four successful threes out of 38 attempts.
Turnovers: Only four other teams are «better» at giving the ball away or having it stolen by opponents. They average 15.7 turnovers per game, a number that has recently been on the rise. Against the Timberwolves, they registered a staggering 21 turnovers.
Another area of concern: the Rockets have squandered a fourth-quarter lead 14 times this season. This appears to be a pattern under Udoka, as it has now occurred a total of 40 times since the former Celtics coach arrived in Houston in 2023.
Kevin Durant Alone Cannot Fix the Offense
This brings us to what is perhaps the overarching problem: their overly one-dimensional offense. Even at 37, Durant is having an excellent season and remains one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons. However, too little is happening around him: insufficient shooting, inadequate spacing, and a general lack of offensive variation.
Most recently, the Los Angeles Lakers – currently projected as the Rockets’ first-round playoff opponent – demonstrated precisely how to completely stifle Houston’s offensive output: simply double-team Durant. That’s it. Udoka seemingly hasn’t considered deviating from his Plan A, which relies almost entirely on KD.
Criticism of the head coach, known for his defensive prowess, is growing louder, and doubts are mounting as to whether these Rockets will be heading into their summer vacation much sooner than anticipated.
Bill Simmons Observes «Worst Chemistry» Among All Playoff Teams
Pulling themselves out of this rut together might be a suitable course of action now. While it’s a common rallying cry, it’s one that has proven effective in crisis situations – assuming there’s a solid foundation of team unity. However, there are legitimate reasons for doubt, as expressed by Bill Simmons.
The accomplished journalist, author, and entrepreneur noted a discernible lack of cohesion within the Rockets on his latest NBA podcast. In his view, among all playoff teams and aspirants, the Texans exhibit the «worst chemistry.»
«This team is just not on the same page at all. I don’t like the vibe. Something is really wrong with the Rockets,» Simmons stated. He then cited an example from the crunch time of their recent thrilling game in Minneapolis.
Sengün executed a magnificent defensive stop against Minnesota’s Julius Randle, sending the game into overtime. During the play, the Turkish player fell hard to the court, cutting his lip. Yet, apart from Reed Sheppard, no other Rockets player came to check on Sengün, even though his teammates should have been celebrating him.
«Durant doesn’t even really acknowledge him, and no one else from the Rockets comes over, and Sengün just walks back,» Simmons described. «That was pretty much one of the best plays of Sengün’s career; it was incredible.»
Final Push: Two Showdowns with the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Rockets are severely rattled. Hopes that signing Durant would transform them into genuine contenders appear to have vanished. Nevertheless, they must now focus on securing the best possible seeding for the playoffs in their remaining ten games. Sixth place doesn’t have to be their final standing, although the teams ahead of them seem more stable.
Their remaining opponents include: away games against Memphis and New Orleans; home games against the Knicks, Bucks, and Jazz; away games against Golden State and Phoenix; a home game against Philly; and finally, two concluding matchups at home against their divisional rival, Minnesota.
By then, the Rockets could either significantly redeem themselves or further jeopardize their standing.
NBA: Western Conference Playoff Race
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Los Angeles Lakers | 47-26 |
| 4 | Denver Nuggets | 46-28 |
| 5 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 45-28 |
| 6 | Houston Rockets | 43-29 |
| 7 | Phoenix Suns | 40-33 |
| 8 | Los Angeles Clippers | 37-36 |