Houston Rockets
The 2025–26 Rockets brought in Kevin Durant, started 2–2, then hit 10 wins in 13 games — their best start since 1993–94.
The 2025–26 Houston Rockets season was the 59th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 55th season in the city of Houston. On June 22, 2025, the Rockets announced a trade with the Phoenix Suns involving Kevin Durant in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft from the Brooklyn Nets. The Suns also received five second-round picks, including one acquired by Houston from the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 draft. The Rockets started off the season 2–2, but would eventually improve on that record later on, getting their 10th win after only 13 games, which represented their best regular season opener record since their 15–0 record from the 1993–94 season.
- Conference
- Western
Lore & Background
In February, the team experienced inner turmoil when it was alleged that star Kevin Durant was criticizing teammates through a burner account. Durant shut down the locker room drama, but never denied the rumors. Despite this, the team finished the season winning 9 of 10 games. The Rockets clinched a playoff spot for the second consecutive season on April 2 when the Suns lost to the Charlotte Hornets. They would finish the regular season with a 52–30 record, placing 5th in the West. However, the Rockets were upset by the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers in six games of the first round.
In Their Own Story
The Rockets entered the 2025 NBA draft holding one first-round pick and one second-round pick, both of which acquired through previous trades. They had traded their original selections to the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies, respectively. The team's acquired first-round pick originated from the Phoenix Suns as part of the trade that sent Kevin Durant to Phoenix, with Houston acquiring that selection along with two other first-round picks from the Suns via the Brooklyn Nets. The team's acquired second-round pick, which was slated to be the final selection of the draft following the New York Knicks’ forfeiture of their pick due to free agency violations, originally belonged to the Oklahoma City Thunder and acquired through the Atlanta Hawks. On June 22, the Rockets agreed to trade both of their 2025 draft selections, along with Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and four additional second-round picks, to the Suns in exchange for Durant. Thus by the conclusion of the draft, Houston joined the Denver Nuggets as one of only two teams without a retained draft pick for 2025.
Reader's Guide
The 2025–26 Houston Rockets aimed to contend in the Western Conference after acquiring Kevin Durant. They started 2–2, then won 10 of their first 13 games — their best start since the 1993–94 season's 15–0 run. Despite February's burner-account drama involving Durant, the team won 9 of their final 10 regular-season games. They clinched a playoff spot on April 2 when the Suns lost to the Hornets, finishing 52–30 (5th in the West). In the first round, they were upset by the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
Did You Know?
- The Rockets' 10th win came after only 13 games, their best start since the 1993–94 season's 15–0 record.
- On June 22, 2025, the Rockets traded Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, a first-round pick, and five second-round picks to the Suns for Kevin Durant.
- The Rockets clinched a playoff spot on April 2 when the Suns lost to the Charlotte Hornets.
- Houston finished the regular season 52–30, placing 5th in the West, but lost to the short-handed Lakers in six games in the first round.
- After trading both their 2025 draft picks, the Rockets joined the Denver Nuggets as the only two teams without a retained draft pick for 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who represents the Houston Rockets franchise?
They are a professional basketball team based in Texas that competes within the Western Conference of the NBA. Founded in 1967, they play their home games at the Toyota Center and wear red and white uniforms.
How do the Rockets interact with the Phoenix Suns?
Although geographically distant, the Rockets frequently impact the Suns through draft positioning battles and Western Conference playoff seeding races. They serve as a consistent competitor within the Southwest Division that often dictates divisional standings.
What defines their championship legacy?
The franchise secured back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995 under legendary center Hakeem Olajuwon before entering a period of rebuilding and modernization. Their history remains defined by this mid-nineties dominance rather than recent trophies.
Why should Suns fans care about Houston?
Phoenix supporters track the Rockets closely because trade rumors often involve shared players, and their performance affects overall conference strength. Understanding Houston helps Phoenix fans gauge the difficulty of reaching the NBA Finals from the West.
Which legends define the Rockets' history?
Key figures include Hakeem Olajuwon for his defensive prowess and Yao Ming for bridging international markets during his tenure. James Harden also left a significant mark with his scoring ability before moving to other Western teams.
More in Eras & Identities
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