Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Houston Rockets News / Last Word On Sports / December 26

Rockets Get Reinforcements For Christmas

The Houston Rockets won their Christmas Day clash against the Los Angeles Lakers 119-96. The team’s performance made for quite a present to Rockets fans.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 26

Rockets Drop in Latest NBA Power Rankings Despite Christmas Day Win

The Houston Rockets have had a rough month of December hoops, but Christmas Day gifted them a much-needed win to close out a Western Conference road trip.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 26

The Rockets Got Back to What They Do Well: Defense and Rebounding

Coming into their Christmas night matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets have had a tough December to say the least. They were only 4-6 in December and were coming off one of their poorest performance of the season in their blowout loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Victor Wembanyama News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA Christmas Day 40-point games' quiz

In NBA history, a player has scored 40 or more points on Christmas Day on 30 occasions. How many of those can you name in five minutes?

The 'NBA all-time scoring leaders' quiz

The 'Most 40-point games in NBA history' quiz

The 'NBA playoff point-per-game leaders' quiz

NBA News / Field Level Media / December 26

Rockets return home off morale-boosting win to face Cavaliers

In dire need of a performance more in line with their early-season successes and an effort that could mask the stench of three overtime losses during their just-wrapped six-game road trip, the Houston Rockets produced a result on Thursday that made their recent struggles appear aberrant.

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.

NBA News / Ball Exclusives / December 26

Rockets dismantle Lakers’ Christmas wish in dominant 119-96 victory

It was Christmas Day at Crypto.com Arena all in attendance wanted what every basketball fan wants on Christmas… a victory. Unfortunately on this festive day, the Los Angeles Lakers ran into the Grinch disguised as the Houston Rockets.

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 26

Kevin Durant Gives Himself New Nickname Amid Newest NBA Stat

While Kevin Durant is regarded as one of the NBA's greatest scorers ever, the Houston Rockets acquired him for more reasons than scoring points. His sheer presence is what will take them to the next level.

Houston Rockets News / Hardwood Heroics / December 26

'I’m Just Grateful For Every Matchup We Have' – Houston Rockets’ Kevin Durant Relishes Latest Christmas Matchup Vs. LeBron James

Last night’s matchup between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers marked the 44th meeting between Kevin Durant and LeBron James, and the two

Houston Rockets News / The Dream Shake / December 26

Rockets spoil Christmas for the Lakers and win big, 119-96

It’s been a rough road trip for the Houston Rockets, with three overtime losses and blowout loss to the Clippers. Heading into Thursday’s Christmas Day matchup with the Lakers, Rockets fans were hoping to see them make a statement on the big stage.

Tari Eason News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 26

Rockets’ Tari Eason drops ‘amazing’ truth bomb on getting start vs. Lakers

Tari Eason has carved out a consistent role for the Houston Rockets as one of the spark plugs off the bench. While he is not as heralded as Alperen Sengun, Kevin Durant, and Amen Thompson, Eason has no problem being under the radar.

NBA News / Larry Brown Sports / December 26

JJ Redick goes off on Lakers players after ugly loss

JJ Redick goes off on Lakers players after ugly Christmas Day loss to Rockets

JJ Redick did not mince words in his assessment of his Los Angeles Lakers’ holiday performance.

Lakers play like Grinches on Christmas for third straight loss

LeBron James excitedly reveals offseason plan

The 25 most unlikely NBA Finals heroes

The '2025-26 NBA head coaches' quiz

NBA News / Total Apex Sports / December 25

Rockets Spoil the Party: Houston Dominates Lakers on Christmas Day 119-96

Christmas in Los Angeles is supposed to be a spectacle. The stars are out, and the Lakers are usually the ones delivering the gifts. But the Rockets had other plans.

NBA News / Yardbarker / December 26

Lakers play like Grinches on Christmas for third straight loss

Christmas is supposed to be the time for giving and sharing. That's not how the Los Angeles Lakers have treated the ball this holiday season.

LeBron James excitedly reveals offseason plan

Rockets give Lakers coal in Christmas night blowout

Austin Reaves' injury another worrisome development for the Los Angeles Lakers

The 25 most unlikely NBA Finals heroes

The '1,000 double-figure NBA games' quiz

NBA News / Field Level Media / December 25

Rockets give Lakers coal in Christmas night blowout

Amen Thompson scored 26 points and Kevin Durant added 25 as the visiting Houston Rockets led wire-to-wire in a 119-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in a Christmas Day matchup on Thursday.

Austin Reaves' injury another worrisome development for Lakers

NBA analysts rips NFL for taking over Christmas: 'Y'all can have Thanksgiving'

The 25 most unlikely NBA Finals heroes

The '2024-25 No. 2 scorers by NBA team' quiz

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

The 'NFL rookie QBs to win a playoff game' quiz

The 'NBA Christmas Day 40-point games' quiz

The 'Most 3-passing, 1-rushing TD games' quiz

The 'NFL's active 300-yard passers' quiz

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 25

Three Takeaways As Rockets Bounce Back on Christmas Day Against Lakers

It has been a nightmare stretch recently for the Houston Rockets. Four of the last five games were not just simple losses. From overtime blunders, late-game meltdowns and underwhelming displays, the Rockets encountered major questions about whether they truly have what it takes to capably compete for a title this season.

Dorian Finney-Smith News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 25

Dorian Finney-Smith Available for Rockets' Christmas Day Battle vs. Lakers

The Houston Rockets are looking to get back on track after a rough stretch of basketball through December. This month, they're 4-6, ranking 23rd in defensive rating and 29th in turnover percentage.

Houston Rockets News / The Dream Shake / December 25

Rockets need to call Mike D’Antoni to help fix the offense

The Houston Rockets have hit a skid. (Even if Kevin Durant wants to downplay it). The Rockets have dropped four of their last five contests and have lost to each of the bottom-four teams in the Western Conference this month. It gets worse.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 25

The Rockets' Christmas List Includes More Connected Offense

The Houston Rockets have some glaring issues with their game plan as they have struggled to consistently pick up wins this season. Houston's inabilty to create open shots for their most effective players has led to their downfall, as Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun have had to put on a hero cape to lead Houston's offense in most games.

Houston Rockets News / Hoops Rumors / December 25

Dorian Finney-Smith Could Make Rockets Debut Today

Veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith could make his Rockets debut today when Houston faces the Lakers. He’s listed as questionable to play, according to Real GM.