Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Three Things to Watch for in Rockets vs. Suns Tonight

Tonight, the Houston Rockets take on the Phoenix Suns, looking to bounce-back from a loss to Dallas. After losing four games in five tries, the Rockets had course-corrected with four-straight wins, taking down postseason hopefuls like the Lakers and Cavaliers, as well as the hot Brooklyn Nets.

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The Houston Rockets are ready to be themselves

When expectations meet reality, they can make for strange bedfellows. As a child, you expect to be the president, or an astronaut, or, in the case of my late uncle, a donkey (true story).

Alperen Sengun News / Field Level Media / January 5

Alperen Sengun sidelined again as Rockets host trending Suns

The Houston Rockets finally appeared to be on the road to optimal health and building momentum in the competitive Western Conference, courtesy of a roster made whole with the return of two key wing players.

Fred VanVleet News / Houston Rockets on SI / January 4

Rockets get Update Regarding Potential Return for Fred VanVleet

The Houston Rockets have managed to stay near the top of the Western Conference with a 21-11 record, despite all of the injuries this season. It's a testament to their relentlessness and ability to find production from the enter roster.

LeBron James News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA all-time scoring leaders' quiz

How many of the NBA's top 30 career scorers can you name in five minutes?

The 'Multi-time NBA MVPs' quiz

The 'NBA Christmas Day triple-doubles' quiz

The '60-point NBA games' quiz

Fred VanVleet News / Hoops Wire / January 4

NBA Notes: Rockets, Fred VanVleet, Clippers, Derrick Jones Jr, Clippers

When Fred VanVleet tore his ACL during an unofficial preseason minicamp, the expectation around the league was that the Rockets’ point guard would miss the entire 2025-26 season.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rivalries in NBA history

Part of what makes the NBA, or any pro sports league, so compelling to watch is the narratives, especially those centered on rivalries. Throughout the decades, the NBA has fostered a number of rivalries, some long-lasting and others short but sweet.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / January 4

The Rockets Need All Their Pieces To Compete

The Houston Rockets have started this season with a team constructed of players that complement each others' play styles and unique skills. Each piece is important as the Rockets win games based on their ability to defend as a unit and play balanced offense.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / January 4

Most of the Top Trade Targets Don’t Fit Houston Rockets

We're nearing the halfway mark of the 2025-26 NBA campaign, and trade season is quickly approaching. There aren't likely to be fireworks like last year's Luka Doncic fiasco, though rumors are certainly heating up regarding the moving of stars across the league.

Houston Rockets News / NBA on ClutchPoints / January 4

Rockets rumors: Fred VanVleet ‘not necessarily’ out for season despite ACL injury

All things considered, the Houston Rockets are doing just fine so far in the 2025-26 NBA season. But they could be doing better if star point guard Fred VanVleet is available to see action.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / January 4

The Rockets Have Had Some Struggles Against the Mavericks This Season

The Houston Rockets, after 32 games, are 21-11 and currently fourth in the tough Western Conference. Coming into last night's game, the Rockets had won four straight games after struggling for much of December.

Tari Eason News / Houston Rockets on SI / January 4

Rockets' Toughness Has Been a Focal Point of Their Season

Heading into tonight's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, the Houston Rockets are battling for one of the top seeds in the Western Conference at 21-10.

Alperen Sengun News / Last Word On Sports / January 4

How Big A Problem Is Sengun’s Injury For The Rockets?

The Houston Rockets fell to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night, 110-104. The bigger concern for Houston is that All-Star center Alperen Sengun went down just over a minute into the game.

Reed Sheppard News / Houston Rockets on SI / January 4

Rockets' Reed Sheppard Ranks as HoopsHype's Fifth-Best Sixth Man

Much was made about Reed Sheppard potentially taking on a bigger role for the Houston Rockets in 2025-26. It wasn't as clear if he'd be able to actually successfully fulfill a role with higher expectations.

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / January 4

Rockets Kevin Durant Doesn't Expect NBA's 65-Game Mandate to Last

Load management has been an ongoing debate in the NBA. The legends of yesteryear vehemently push back against the idea of sitting games. They loathe it.

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The 'Heisman Trophy winners since 2000' quiz

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The 'CFP appearances' quiz

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / January 4

NBA Mock Trade: Rockets Get Guard Depth from Struggling West Team

The Houston Rockets are in a comfortable position at 21-10, good for third in the Western Conference heading into Saturday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / January 4

Rockets Add Tristen Newton, Waive Tyler Smith

Two-way signings rarely garner fanfare. They rarely move the needle. Even though fans are always eager to uncover the next potential "big thing", it's hard for fans to excited about unheralded players when they likely won't suit up for the team.

Houston Rockets News / NBA on ClutchPoints / January 4

Rockets’ Kevin Durant sends Anthony Davis to school with tough and-1

Kevin Durant sent Anthony Davis to crossover school during one of his highlights in the Houston Rockets’ matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.

NBA News / Houston Rockets on SI / January 3

Three Takeaways As Houston Rockets Came Up Short Against Dallas Mavericks

Saturday night marked the finale of the Houston Rockets' brief two-game road trip. But they won't return home with a maintained winning momentum as the Dallas Mavericks secured a 110-104 solid win on another marquee Texas showdown.

Houston Rockets News / Field Level Media / January 3

Rockets lose Alperen Sengun to early injury, fall to Mavs

Anthony Davis scored 26 points, Max Christie shot 10-of-13 from the floor en route to 24 points and the Dallas Mavericks capitalized on Alperen Sengun's injury to top the visiting Houston Rockets 110-104 on Saturday night.

Houston Rockets News / NBA on ClutchPoints / January 3

Rockets sign UConn standout to 2-way contract

The Houston Rockets on Saturday signed guard Tristen Newton to a two-way contract. The team waived two-way forward Tyler Smith to create an opening. Newton, 24, becomes one of three players on Houston’s two-way deals alongside JD Davison and Isaiah Crawford.

Alperen Sengun News / Athlon Sports / January 3

Rockets Announce Alperen Sengun News After Leaving Mavericks Game

The Houston Rockets have been on a hot streak, entering Saturday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks riding a four-game winning streak. A major reason for the team’s success this season has been the play of center Alperen Sengun, now in his fifth year with the organization.

Houston Rockets News / Hoops Rumors / January 3

Rockets Signing Tristen Newton To Two-Way Contract

Tristen Newton is joining the Rockets on a two-way contract, a league source tells Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link). Tyler Smith will be waived to create an opening.

Houston Rockets News / The SportsRush / January 3

Kevin Durant’s Absence From MVP Race is Because He is American: Rich Paul

While Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic won’t be out for the entire season with his knee injury, he won’t be eligible for any end-of-season awards. That opens the door for someone like Kevin Durant to step up and make a case for being the MVP.

NBA News / Field Level Media / January 2

Rockets being 'aggressive' sharers ahead of tilt with Mavericks

As the Houston Rockets ride a four-game winning streak into Saturday's visit to Dallas, the Mavericks look to end a four-game slide. Houston opened a stretch playing five of six on the road with a 120-96 rout of Brooklyn on Thursday.

NBA News / Yardbarker / January 1