Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Houston Rockets News / Fadeaway World / October 8

Marcus Smart Set To Lead Rockets’ Defense As Jabari Smith Jr. Believes Houston Can Contend With Anyone

The Houston Rockets enter the 2026-27 NBA season with big hopes. That includes a championship, and head coach Ime Udoka thinks Marcus Smart can play a major role in helping them reach that level.

Houston Rockets News / Larry Brown Sports / October 8

Steven Adams gets dwarfed by 7-foot-5 women’s basketball star in China

At 6-foot-11 and built like a rock, Houston Rockets big man Steven Adams will always find himself as the biggest person in the room. But that was not the case during a particular moment recently in Macao, when he met Zhang Ziyu, the center of Shandong Six Stars of the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA).

Tari Eason News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 8

Why the Rockets’ 2026 Preseason Games Are Meaningless

Preseason games can be useful for some teams. They’re an opportunity for starting lineup battles to be decided, roster spots to be won, new coaches to implement their systems and teams that have undergone significant changes to get acclimated with one another.

Kevin Durant 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 'Most 30-point NBA games at 35+' quiz

The '20-point NBA games leaders' quiz

The 'NBA Playoff scoring record by team' quiz

NBA News / Fadeaway World / October 8

Kevin Durant And Ja Morant Emerge As Potential Trade Candidates In Latest NBA Rumors

After a long period of waiting, NBA basketball has returned with preseason activities offering fans a glimpse of their teams ahead of opening night. While this is also a period for teams and players to showcase their development over the offseason, players like Kevin Durant and Ja Morant are gaining attention for other reasons.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest NBA Finals performances of all-time

The regular season is important, but NBA legends are made in the playoffs. More specifically, it's the Finals where the all-time greats have built their otherworldly reputations.

Kevin Durant News / Hoops Wire / October 8

Was Kevin Durant responsible for Rockets’ ‘connectivity’ issues?

Kevin Durant gave the Rockets plenty of scoring last season. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon believes Houston also asked him to handle responsibilities that weren’t suited to his strengths.

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 7

NBA Insider Blames Kevin Durant for Rockets’ Chemistry Issues

After rebuilding during the early part of the decade, the Houston Rockets have assembled one of the strongest young cores in the NBA. The likes of Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, and Jabari Smith Jr.

WNBA News

Angel Reese's incredible performance has Dream on verge of WNBA Finals

WNBA playoffs: History is on side of Dream, Valkyries

WNBA playoff takeaways: History is on side of Dream, Valkyries after Game 2 wins

WNBA playoff takeaways: Valkyries outlast Wings to advance to semifinals

Angel Reese wins highest individual honor of her WNBA career

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 7

Rockets Have Plenty to Gain From Two Preseason Games in China

The Houston Rockets will play their first two preseason games in Macau, China, against the Dallas Mavericks. This will be part of the NBA China Games, with the first matchup on Friday, October 9, followed by the second on Sunday, October 11.

NBA News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 7

Kevin Durant Gets Message From Kyrie Irving Ahead of Rivalry Matchup

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving started the decade as teammates on the Brooklyn Nets. After failing to make a deep run in the playoffs together, Durant and Irving decided to go their separate ways in February of 2023.

NBA News / Fadeaway World / October 7

Kyrie Irving Responds To Kevin Durant’s Ultimate Praise For His Ball-Handling Skills

Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets are set to face Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks at the NBA exhibition game in Macao on October 9, later this week.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 best NBA players to never play in college

Typically, the path to the NBA for most players is to spend at least a season in college to get high-level basketball and important development under their belts.

Steve Nash News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 6

Steve Nash Thinks 3 Rockets Players Could Make a Leap Soon

After spending the early part of the decade toward the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the Houston Rockets are reaping the benefits of a successful rebuild.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 6

Ralph Sampson’s Kevin Durant Comment Signals Good News for Rockets

At 38 years old, Kevin Durant is still widely considered to be an elite player in the NBA. Last season, Durant averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists over 78 games.

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

The 'NFL most receiving-1st downs' quiz

The 'Last 2-rushing-TD duos by team' quiz

The 'Most TD's through four games' quiz

The 'NFL RB TD-catch leaders' quiz

NBA News / Action Network / October 6

Exclusive: Ralph Sampson Talks Victor Wembanyama, Kevin Durant, Rockets Expectations

The Spurs’ star has a lot of similarities to Sampson, the athletic 7-foot-4 center who went No. 1 overall to the Rockets in the 1983 draft. But injuries derailed Sampson’s promising career, so when asked what advice he’d give Wembanyama as he enters Year 4 in San Antonio, it was simple.

Alperen Sengun News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 5

Who Can Stop Rockets Center Alperen Sengun From All-NBA Selection?

At 24 years old, Alperen Sengun is on track to becoming the Houston Rockets’ next major franchise star. Last season, Sengun averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists over 72 games.

Houston Rockets News / Fadeaway World / October 5

Houston Rockets Biggest Strengths And Weaknesses Heading Into 2026-27

The Houston Rockets are at a critical point following a few seasons of a long, painful rebuild. For two consecutive seasons, Houston has won 52 games. For two consecutive seasons, however, the Rockets have failed to make it out of the first round.

Houston Rockets News / NBA on ClutchPoints / October 2

Rockets’ Kevin Durant jokes about playing flag football in Olympics

NBA training camp is in full swing and one Houston Rockets player is in danger of losing his job (not Kevin Durant). Durant has worked to build a rapport with rising star Amen Thompson, who just signed a long-term deal to stay in Houston.

Rafael Castro News / Hoops Rumors / October 1

Rockets Waive Two-Way Player Rafael Castro

The Rockets have waived Rafael Castro, tweets Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Castro signed a two-way contract with Houston in August. That two-way deal covered two seasons, but all two-way contracts are non-guaranteed and don’t count against the salary cap, so the Rockets won’t carry any dead money on their books by releasing the 6’11” big man.

NBA News / Yardbarker / October 1

Rockets rumored Kyrie Irving trade interest turns season into fierce audition

The reported interest in Irving from the Rockets sends a message to the team's current roster.

NBA Trade Rumors: Ty Jerome, Darius Garland, Dejounte Murray, Daniel Gafford

The '2016 Team USA men's basketball' quiz

Houston Rockets News / NBA on ClutchPoints / October 1

1 Rockets player in danger of losing starting job in 2026-27 training camp

It looked like the Houston Rockets were destined for bigger and better things prior to the 2025-26 season when they traded for Kevin Durant to complement their fast-rising young core.

Houston Rockets News / The Lead / September 29

Houston Rockets 2026-27 NBA Preseason Preview

The Houston Rockets’ Finals hopes last season seemingly vanished before the first tip-off. After acquiring future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, many viewed Houston as a true contender.

Marcus Smart News / Yardbarker / September 25

Losing Marcus Smart left a dangerous vulnerability in the Lakers' roster

Following late-season injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Los Angeles Lakers played with an all-new starting five in last season's playoffs.

Odds are against Rockets' optimism about better health

JJ Redick jokes that Lakers’ starting 5 won’t be ‘all white guys’

Houston Rockets News / Yardbarker / September 24

Odds are against Rockets' optimism about better health

The Houston Rockets are banking on the return of two veterans who missed all or most of last season. They've also added two veterans not known for staying on the court.

Kevin Durant: Not thinking about retirement or final NBA stop

Dorian Finney-Smith left in limbo after second trade of summer

Marcus Smart: Lakers’ Offer In Free Agency Was ‘Disrespectful’

The '5 3-pointer, 5-steal playoff games' quiz

Amen Thompson News / Larry Brown Sports / September 23