Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Rockets seek more road success against Kings

The Houston Rockets continue a six-game road trip that runs through Christmas Day when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night. Houston played at Denver for the second time in less than a week on Saturday and defeated the Nuggets 115-101.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Rockets bounce back in Denver; defeat the Nuggets 115-101

When Ime Udoka called the Rockets out for their embarrassing effort on defense in the overtime loss to New Orleans, it was a sure bet that the defensive effort would be anything but embarrassing.

NBA News / Ball Exclusives / December 21

Rockets dominate Nuggets in rematch, secure 115-101 victory

The Houston Rockets exacted revenge on the Denver Nuggets with a convincing 115-101 win. Just five days after a heartbreaking 128-125 overtime loss to Denver, Houston was ready for this game.

NBA News / Yardbarker / December 20

Kevin Durant leads Rockets to convincing win over Nuggets

Kevin Durant, Reed Sheppard lead Rockets to convincing win over Nuggets

Just one game after blowing a massive first-half lead, the Houston Rockets bounced back in a major way with a 115-101 win over the Denver Nuggets.

One key Nuggets player is expected to leave the team in offseason

Red-hot Pelicans extend win streak behind Zion Williamson's big night

Unlikely hero Payton Pritchard leads Celtics to win vs. Raptors

Jaylen Brown comes clean on ‘negative’ Scottie Barnes description

Draymond Green gets ejected after shoving Collin Gillespie

James Wiseman hopes to seize opportunity in NBA return

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

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / December 20

CBS Sports Names Rockets as NBA's Third-Best Team

The Houston Rockets have been one of the league's best teams in 2025-26. Unsurprisingly, as they were the second-best team in the Western Conference last season and added Kevin Durant over the summer. Even though they lost their floor general and vocal leader in Fred VanVleet, they didn't get worse, as a team.

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 / The SportsRush / December 20

Bruce Brown Falls Out With Kevin Durant After 'Disrespectful Words' During On-Court Exchange

Kevin Durant delivered a brilliant performance in the Houston Rockets’ heavyweight clash against the Denver Nuggets earlier today. But it wasn’t just the scoreboard that suggested the clock had been turned back.

NBA News / Total Apex Sports / December 20

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.