Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

What factors will decide the Lakers-Rockets playoff series?

When the Los Angeles Lakers' two leading scorers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, went down against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, many speculated their playoff hopes were diminished and that a short series was inevitable. Instead, they're up 2-0 on the Rockets. What will determine how the rest of the series plays out?

LeBron James outduels Kevin Durant as Lakers take 2-0 series lead

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The Quiz of the Day

Can Rockets Alperen Sengun prove he is a true star?

I don’t know if the Rockets are going to come back and win this series or not. I’ll admit it looks bleak. However, I’ve seen too many things happen in sports to write them off completely.

Ime Udoka News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 23

Ime Udoka Explains the Rockets’ Issues After Game 2

This first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers has not gone the Houston Rockets’ way in the slightest. It has gone the completely opposite way of what the expectations were coming in.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 23

Rockets' Offense Has Been Historically Bad vs. Lakers

The 2025-26 Houston Rockets have been exhibit A of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. During the regular season, at least. We've seen them either come out flat

Donovan Mitchell News / Yardbarker Quizzes

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How many of the NBA players with at least 30 games with 30 points in the postseason can you name in five minutes?

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NBA News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 23

Two People Are to Blame for the Rockets’ Game 2 Loss to the Lakers

The Houston Rockets are in desperation mode after going down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Just like that, their season is starting to crumble after losing to a team without its top two scorers.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest playoff games in NBA history

In the NBA, it's all about showing up and showing out in the posteason. With that in mind, here are the 25 greatest NBA playoff games of all time.

NBA News / Stadium Rant / April 23

The 2026 Rockets Are On The Verge Of Embarrassment

The Houston Rockets find themselves down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that still does not have Luka Dončić or Austin Reaves. The Rockers are on the verge of embarrassment.

Houston Rockets News / Fadeaway World / April 23

Ex-NBA Players Defend Ime Udoka From Criticism Over Reed Sheppard Amid 'Selfish' Rockets Narrative

The issues with the Rockets’ offense became glaringly clear last night in their 94-101 loss to the Lakers in Game 2 of their first-round series. Amid all

NBA News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 22

Former NBA Veteran Sounds off on Rockets After Game 2 Loss to Lakers

The Houston Rockets are on the brink of a season collapse after going down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Lakers. Tuesday's Game 2 loss was brutal to watch, as the Rockets suffered a 101-94 defeat to a Lakers unit without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 22

Mock Draft: Rockets Nab Elite Rim-Protecting Big Man in the Second Round

The Houston Rockets find themselves down in an 0-2 hole against the Los Angeles Lakers in the opening round of the playoffs. The Rockets were eyeing this matchup, due to their advantage of athleticism and youth, not to mention the fact that the Lakers aren’t exactly known for their defensive brilliance.

Houston Rockets News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 22

Brian Windhorst labels Rockets’ offense an ‘absolute disaster’ before Game 3

On Tuesday evening, the Houston Rockets fell behind 0-2 in their first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers with an ugly 101-94 loss in Game 2.

LeBron James News / Yardbarker

The 25 defining moments of LeBron James' career

LeBron's career can't go on forever, can it? If it were to end tomorrow, it would be the greatest run of sustained excellence the league has ever seen.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 22

The Rockets Are Being Outcoached And Outworked

The Houston Rockets are now looking at a potentially dire situation after losing both of their games on the road to start the postseason. While they could

Houston Rockets News / Total Pro Sports / April 22

Ime Udoka Defends Defensive Strategy After Reed Sheppard Minutes Question

The Houston Rockets are finding themselves in a battle they weren’t prepared for against a shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers team. Moreover, head coach Ime Udoka’s responses are sparking conversations after the team’s disappointing performances.

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Tari Eason News / Hoops Wire / April 22

Rockets running into same issues that ended their season last year

The Rockets made their big swing last summer, acquiring Kevin Durant in hopes of fixing an offense that sputtered in the 2025 playoffs. So far, the results haven’t followed.

Dorian Finney-Smith News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 22

Dorian Finney-Smith Explains Challenging Year for Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith was a major offseason acquisition for the Houston Rockets last summer. Well, he was supposed to be, at least. Finney-Smith had been a key rotational piece on a Los Angeles Lakers team that finished third in the Western Conference.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 22

The Same Issue for the Rockets All Season Is the Reason They Are Down 0-2

Coming into the 2025-26 playoffs, the Houston Rockets were seen as heavy favorites in their first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets weren't the favorites because they were seen as the better team, but because of who the Lakers would be missing.

Kendrick Perkins News / Athlon Sports / April 22

Rockets Get Destroyed by Kendrick Perkins After Game Two Collapse

The Houston Rockets are already in trouble in their series against the Los Angeles Lakers, but it is not just the 2-0 deficit that has people talking it is how they got there.

Houston Rockets News / Total Pro Sports / April 22

Former NBA Champion Rips Houston Rockets as 'Dumbest' and 'Most Selfish' Team in Postseason

He pointed out that while Kevin Durant committed nine turnovers in the game, Ime Udoka deserves the blame. Just a few days back, the 2008 NBA champion lashed out at the Los Angeles Lakers, calling them ‘dead birds.’ However, with the postseason performance the team is delivering, there is very little ground for complaint.

Houston Rockets News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 22

Ime Udoka reveals head-scratching reason for playing Reed Sheppard only 10 minutes in Game 2

The Houston Rockets turned in another pedestrian offensive performance during Tuesday’s 101-94 Game 2 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite Kevin Durant’s return, Ime Udoka’s squad failed to crack 100 points for the second straight game, falling behind 0-2 in the series.

Kevin Durant News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 22

3 Rockets most to blame for pathetic Game 2 loss to Lakers even with Kevin Durant back

If you said the Houston Rockets would be down 2-0 against the Los Angeles Lakers, a lot of people would have assumed it was a joke. Fast forward, and the Rockets are really down 2-0 heading back to Houston, and things didn’t get any better from Game 1 to Game 2.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 22

Three Takeaways from the Rockets' Devastating Game 2 Loss to Lakers

The Houston Rockets looked to get back in their first round series of the NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers with the highly anticipated return of All-Star forward Kevin Durant, but even that was surprisingly not enough in a 101-94 loss in Game 2 in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

LeBron James News / Larry Brown Sports / April 23

LeBron James takes a jab at Kevin Durant’s real height

LeBron James knows that height is a touchy subject for Kevin Durant. While talking about the threat that Houston Rockets star forward Durant presents to the Los Angeles Lakers, James brought up a particular topic that’s often viewed with intrigue — KD’s height.

NBA News / Yardbarker / April 22

Kevin Durant returns in Game 2 vs. Lakers, but Rockets still lose

If the Houston Rockets can't win with a healthy Kevin Durant, their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference playoffs could be a short one.

Jrue Holiday trade pays off big for Trail Blazers in comeback Game 2 win

Scoot Henderson shoots Trail Blazers past Spurs to even series

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Jimmy Butler may not return in 2026-27

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Kevin Durant News / Larry Brown Sports / April 21

Rockets get update on Kevin Durant’s status for Game 2

The Houston Rockets are about to get a Kevin Durant-sized boost for Game 2 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant is reportedly planning to make his series debut in Game 2 after missing the opener due to injury.