Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Rockets Will Need to Make Life Much More Difficult for Lakers' LeBron James

The main talking point heading into the Houston Rockets' opening round postseason matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers has been centered around injuries.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Rockets Played 'Out of Whack' Offensively in Game 1 vs Lakers

The Houston Rockets lost the battle against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1. Houston came out flat without Kevin Durant, their superstar, who was ruled out a little over two hours before tip off.

Houston Rockets News / Total Pro Sports / April 20

Stephen A. Smith Sounds Off on Kevin Durant’s Untimely Injury Ahead of Playoffs Game 2

The Houston Rockets entered Game 1 needing their biggest weapon. Instead, Kevin Durant was stuck in street clothes. Durant was ruled out before tipoff against the Los Angeles Lakers after suffering a right knee contusion during practice.

LeBron James News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA playoff double-doubles' quiz

How many of the NBA players with at least 60 double-doubles in the playoffs can you name in five minutes?

The 'Youngest 40-point NBA games' quiz

The 'NBA Finals MVPs' quiz

The 'NBA minutes-per-game leaders' quiz

Luke Kennard News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 20

Rockets Will Have to Have Better Defensive Formula on Luke Kennard in Game 2

Much was made about the Los Angeles Lakers' injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves heading into the Houston Rockets' postseason series in the first round.

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.

Kevin Durant News / The Dream Shake / April 20

Rockets need to be able to win without Kevin Durant

There are few more precious NBA jewels than a quality young core. Everyone wants a young core. Winning an NBA championship is the best possible outcome.

Ime Udoka News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 20

What Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka Thought Went Wrong on Offense in Game 1

While Kevin Durant was out due to injury, it was still a disappointing 107-98 loss for the Houston Rockets on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

NBA News / Yardbarker / April 19

Shannon Sharpe not sold on Lakers after Game 1 win

There was plenty of buzz after LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers took Game 1 over the Houston Rockets on Saturday, but Sharpe was not exactly lining up to celebrate.

Unlikely hero Luke Kennard leads Lakers to Game 1 win over Rockets

Luke Kennard scores 27, Lakers take Game 1 against Rockets

Adam Silver may have revealed LeBron James' plans for next season

The 'NBA playoff double-doubles' quiz

Fred VanVleet News / Athlon Sports / April 19

Rockets’ Fred VanVleet Opens Up About Losing His Father At Age 5

Fred VanVleet has never shied away from where he came from, and a recent conversation made that clear all over again. The Houston Rockets guard has been sidelined all season after tearing his ACL in September, watching from the sidelines as his team put together 52 wins and pushed into the 2026 playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers.

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 19

The Rockets Don't Have Long To Correct Game 1 Woes

Upcoming practices for the Houston Rockets are sure to be filled with self reflection as they try to figure out what went wrong against the Los Angeles Lakers in a disappointing Game 1 loss.

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

The 'NBA minutes-per-game leaders' quiz

The 'Stanley Cup Playoff hat-tricks' quiz

The 'Most NBA-debut points by NBA team' quiz

The 'Multiple 200 three-pointer seasons' quiz

NBA News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 19

Alperen Sengun Must Fare Significantly Better Against Lakers' Deandre Ayton in Game 2

Alperen Sengun has become one of the more heralded players at the center position over the last handful of years. He's made two All-Star teams in as many years and could very well make an All-NBA team this season.

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 19

The Houston Rockets’ Offense Was Missing in Action Without Kevin Durant

Throughout the week, most of the talk about the Houston Rockets-Los Angeles Lakers series had been about who the Lakers were missing. Both Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic were ruled out for most of the series, and many believed the Rockets were the favorites because of the Lakers' injuries.

Charles Barkley News / Hoops Wire / April 19