Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Three Takeaways as Rockets Retaliate With Big Win Against Nuggets

The Houston Rockets couldn't be more desperate to get themselves back on track. Losing two consecutive overtime games has been a gut-wrenching experience for the entire group.

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Houston Rockets Dominate the Denver Nuggets

Saturday afternoon in Denver was one of those games where everything clicked for one side, and absolutely nothing went right for the other. If you’re a fan of the Houston Rockets, it was a masterclass in depth and perimeter shooting.

NBA News / Field Level Media / December 20

Kevin Durant, Rockets surge ahead, hold off Nuggets

Kevin Durant scored 31 points, Reed Sheppard went 6-for-9 on 3-pointers on his way to 28 points and the visiting Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 115-101 on Saturday.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 20

Kevin Durant Pinpoints Ways Rockets can Optimize Jabari Smith Jr. More

Since getting drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2022, Jabari Smith Jr. has had a bit of a bumpy ride of an NBA career. A roller coaster, if you will. He initially had his sights set on the Orlando Magic, who held the first overall pick and had been linked to him for months.

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

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 20

NBA Veteran Believes Kevin Durant is the Best Scorer in League History

While the Houston Rockets have Kevin Durant in what could be the final chapter of his long and illustrious career, that doesn't take away from his stardom.

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 20

One NBA Team Likely Looking for Same Thing as Rockets on Trade Market

It’s no secret the Houston Rockets could be looking to upgrade before this year’s trade deadline. They’re off to a great start in the Western Conference, cementing themselves among the Nuggets and Spurs as teams looking to slot in behind the Thunder atop the standings.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 20

Rockets Drop in NBC Sports' Latest Power Rankings

The Houston Rockets' December struggles are very real at this point. With just over a week left in 2025, they're 3-4 this month after going 13-2 from late October to late November.

Houston Rockets News / Last Word On Sports / December 20

Lack of a True Point Guard Is Starting to Hurt the Rockets

For much of the season, the Houston Rockets managed to mask a structural flaw through discipline, rebounding and defensive consistency. Even without a traditional point guard available, the team survived late-game moments by slowing the pace and leaning on physical advantages.

Houston Rockets News / Last Word On Sports / December 20

Houston Rockets Could Help Bring the WNBA Back to the City

The possibility of the WNBA returning to Houston is gaining real traction, and the Houston Rockets appear to be at the center of that conversation. According

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 20

Kevin Durant Explains Rockets' Offensive Challenges Without Fred VanVleet

Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka was forced to make a last minute offensive shift in strategy prior to the start of the 2025-26 season. The Rockets lost their point guard of the last two years, months after acquiring Kevin Durant, who had just got out of a situation in which he was in need of a floor general.

Alperen Sengun News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 20

Rockets' Alperen Sengun Lands in The Ringer's Top-15

Alperen Sengun has had a meteoric rise to stardom, since joining the NBA. The Houston Rockets center wasn’t a lottery pick in his 2021 draft class. Instead, he was the 16th pick.

Kevin Durant News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 19

Why Rockets still have late-game problems despite having Kevin Durant

The Houston Rockets coughed up a 25-point lead in their 133-128 overtime loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. “That’s not who we are, and I hate that it happened like this,” Kevin Durant said after the game.

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The '2004-05 NFL passing leaders' quiz

The 'Most multi-rushing-TD NFL games' quiz

The 'NFL's active TD-catch leaders' quiz

The 'Youngest 40-point NBA games' quiz

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 19

The Rockets Revealing Inability To Finish Games

The Houston Rockets are starting to add up several crushing losses in the past few weeks as they have struggled to hold on for late victories, even against weaker opponents.

Tari Eason News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 19

Rockets Have Reason for Concern if Third-Straight Nuggets Loss Becomes Reality

As hot as the Houston Rockets were from late October to late November, things have cooled off with 2026 right around the corner. After starting the season 0-2, Houston went 13-2 before suffering what has been a December skid.

NBA News / Field Level Media / December 19

Rockets return to Denver five days after frustrating OT loss

The last time the Houston Rockets were in Denver, they left angry and defeated. Five days later they have a chance to rewrite the ending when they return to face the Nuggets on Saturday afternoon.

Amen Thompson News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 19

Amen Thompson's 3-Point Shooting Has Taken a Step Back This Season

Coming into the 2023 NBA draft, Amen Thompson was seen as many things: an elite athlete, a potential elite defender, and one of the fastest players in the draft.

Ime Udoka News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 19

Ime Udoka Blasts Rockets' Defense in Loss vs. Pelicans

For a team that ranked third in defensive rating heading into Thursday's matchup against the 6-22 New Orleans Pelicans, there is every right to be critical of the Houston Rockets after a 133-128 overtime loss.

NBA News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 19

The Rockets Must Take Advantage Of Their Rematch With The Nuggets

The Houston Rockets have played close games with basically every one of the top contenders in the Western Conference. While there are some teams they haven't

Ime Udoka News / Fadeaway World / December 19

Ime Udoka Criticizes Scared Rockets Players And Calls Out Their Defensive Effort

The Rockets lost 128-133 to the Pelicans following a stellar 25-point comeback from New Orleans to force overtime and eventually steal the win. They choked the 25-point lead in the second half of the game, wherein they were outscored 52-74 to force overtime, and ended up losing down the stretch.

Houston Rockets 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.

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

The 25 most unlikely NBA Finals heroes

The 'Most points in an NBA Cup game' quiz

Houston Rockets 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.