Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Rockets Stay Flat In The Athletic's Power Rankings

The Houston Rockets have had a bit of an unusual schedule early in the 2025-26 season. They've played just 23 games -- easily the fewest in the NBA. They'll have a bit of a congested schedule on the back end, with 29 games in 54 days.

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Rockets coach Ime Udoka fined $25K for criticism of officials

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for his criticism of game referees following a 128-125 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday.

NBA News / Hoops Wire / December 17

NBA Rumors: Rockets, Fred VanVleet, Pistons, Trey Murphy III, Timberwolves

The Rockets have quietly answered one of the bigger questions hanging over their season. With Fred VanVleet sidelined since September due to a torn ACL, Houston has gone point guard by committee.

Ime Udoka News / Hoops Rumors / December 17

Ime Udoka Fined $25K For Comments About Officiating

The NBA has fined Rockets head coach Ime Udoka $25K for his public criticism of the officiating after Monday’s overtime loss to the Nuggets, per a league press release (Twitter link).

Cooper Flagg News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Youngest 40-point NBA games' quiz

How many of the NBA players to score at least 40 points in a game before turning 21 years old can you name in six minutes?

The 'NBA's youngest 35-point scorers' quiz

The 'Most points in an NBA Christmas Day game' quiz

The 'NBA 10-block triple-doubles' quiz

NBA News / Last Word On Sports / December 17

Rockets-Nuggets L2M Report: Do Rockets Have A Ref Problem?

The Last Two Minutes Report on the officiating of the Denver-Houston clash has been released. The report acknowledges some unfortunate refereeing errors that disadvantaged the Rockets down the stretch.

NBA News / Yardbarker

Which NBA teams have the best Christmas Day records?

Christmas and the NBA go hand-in-hand. The day serves for the top hoops league in the world, like Thanksgiving for the NFL. However, while the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are perpetual Thanksgiving participants, the NBA has mixed up the matchups and the teams throughout the years.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 17

Rockets Drop in ESPN's Latest NBA Power Rankings

With the NBA Cup now officially over, the league is back on schedule for the regular season, which means more games for the Houston Rockets, who have just 23 under their belt.

NBA News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 17

NBA's Two-Minute Report Unkind to Rockets Against Nuggets

The Houston Rockets knew they would be in for a tough battle with the Denver Nuggets on Monday. The Nuggets are seen by many as a championship contender, and so far this season, they have proven it.

Fred VanVleet News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 17

Rockets Granted $12.5 Million Disabled Player Exception Due to Fred VanVleet Injury

In the years that followed the James Harden trade in 2021, the Houston Rockets have sought a traditional point guard that could replace him. John Wall and Kevin Porter Jr.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 17

Rockets Wings Could Be Key To Sustained Success

The Houston Rockets have one of the deepest teams in the league, especially with their wing depth. They have several players with signficant wingspan, and the ability to multiple things on the court.

Kevon Harris News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 17

Former Rockets Two-Way Signee Heads to China

In July, the Houston Rockets inked guard Kevon Harris to a two-way deal. Harris played for the Rockets' Summer League team and was the Rockets' fourth-leading scorer, averaging 14.5 points, while also pouring in five rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.8 steals.

Carmelo Anthony News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 17

Carmelo Anthony Explains Key to Rockets' Dominance on Offensive Glass

The Houston Rockets attack the glass. Even if you’ve been under a rock, you know that. The Rockets boast a litany of size up and down their roster, They can trot out the jumbo lineup or the double-big lineup, whenever they want.

Tari Eason News / The Dream Shake / December 17

A closer look at Rockets season reveals something troubling

Though the Rockets are currently fifth in the Western Conference, they are still considered by most to be true title contenders, and rightfully so. They have the third-highest offensive rating in the NBA and the fifth-highest defensive rating.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 16

Late Game Execution Thwarts The Rockets Yet Again

The Houston Rockets are beginning to establish clear roles in the clutch, and Head Coach Ime Udoka is finding the players he prefers to end games with as the team continues to navigate a loaded Western Conference.

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 16

Opportunities Were Limited for Kevin Durant in Rockets' Loss to Nuggets

Averaging 24.8 points per game this season, Kevin Durant is putting up the lowest scoring stats since his rookie season (20.3 in 2007-08). The 37-year-old is in what could be the final chapter of an illustrious career, and while his numbers are still spectacular, they, naturally, aren't what they once were.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Youngest 40-point NBA games' quiz

The 'Active NFL 5-passing-TD games' quiz

The 'Last 10-TD season by NFL team' quiz

The '2025-26 bowl game host cities' quiz

NBA News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 16

Alperen Sengun Went at Nikola Jokic Like It Was EuroBasket All Over Again

The Houston Rockets visited the Denver Nuggets on Monday after several days off. The Rockets last played on Thursday as they came away with a close win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Ime Udoka News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 16

Ime Udoka Calls Out Officiating After Rockets-Nuggets

Monday night's loss was a tough pill to swallow for the Houston Rockets. On the road, against a title-contending Denver Nuggets team, the Rockets had the game in their hands with seconds to go after an Alperen Sengun go-ahead layup.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 16

Will the Rockets Seek a Point Guard on the Trade Market?

The Houston Rockets have been good offensively. Great, even. By the numbers, at least. Houston ranks second in offensive rating, fifth in scoring, and third in 3-point shooting.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 16

Yahoo Sports Lists Rockets as Buyers on Trade Market

The Houston Rockets are always active on the trade market, historically. It's almost as much of a guarantee as life, death, and taxes. The Rockets have historically drawn headlines when they've acquired superstar players.

Ime Udoka News / Last Word On Sports / December 16

Ime Udoka Slams Officiating After Controversial Loss to Denver

The Houston Rockets have spent the early part of the season proving that they can compete with the best teams in the Western Conference, yet Monday night’s overtime loss in Denver introduced a new storyline.

Ime Udoka News / Larry Brown Sports / December 16

Ime Udoka went nuclear on referees after controversial ending of Rockets-Nuggets game

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka will likely be expecting a hefty fine in his mailbox soon. Udoka did not hold back on his frustrations Monday after his Rockets lost to the Denver Nuggets in a 128-125 overtime affair at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo.

Los Angeles Clippers News / Yardbarker / December 16

Five NBA players most likely to be traded after Dec. 15

Dec.15 marks the start of the unofficial trade season in the NBA. That's the date when most of the players who signed a contract in the offseason became eligible to be traded.

The untouchables: Every NBA team's star — Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson

Six biggest trade possibilities to watch before the NBA deadline

NBA insider names most likely trade suitor for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Mavericks' Anthony Davis linked to two new teams in trade rumors

Three potential trade destinations for Hornets' LaMelo Ball

Kevon Harris News / Hoops Rumors / December 13

Former Rockets Two-Way Player Kevon Harris Headed To China

China’s Xinjiang Flying Tigers and guard Kevon Harris, who was on a two-way deal with the Rockets earlier this month, have agreed to a contract, Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype tweets.

Houston Rockets News / Last Word On Sports / December 13

The Rockets’ Offensive Rebounding Is Ridiculous

The 2025-26 Houston Rockets certainly aren’t afraid to cause havoc. The team is grinding and hustling its way to a top-four offensive rating. Over a quarter of the way through the NBA season, the Rockets are on pace for possibly the highest offensive rebounding percentages of all time.