Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Marcus Smart Receives Harsh Punishment After Wednesday's Altercation

The NBA suspended Rockets guard Marcus Smart for three games without pay for throwing a punch that made contact with the face of Warriors center Charles Bassey during Wednesday night’s game. Smart will miss the Rockets home game on Friday against the Utah Jazz and road games against the Washington Wizards on Sunday and Miami Heat on Monday.

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Rockets’ Marcus Smart Slammed With Brutal NBA Punishment

The Houston Rockets have built their early-season success around physical defense and veteran leadership. They needed that intensity Wednesday night to hold off the Golden State Warriors.

Fred VanVleet News / Athlon Sports / November 12

In 2016, Fred VanVleet signed a $1.86 million deal with the Raptors after going undrafted; seven years later, he landed a $130 million contract with the Rockets

Fred VanVleet’s NBA career began with a contract that offered little security. After going undrafted in 2016, the Wichita State guard signed a two-year, $1.86 million deal with the Toronto Raptors, with only $50,000 guaranteed initially.

Victor Wembanyama News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The '1,500-point, 150-block seasons' quiz

How many of the NBA players to score at least 1,500 points while also rejecting at least 150 shots in the same season can you name in five minutes?

The 'NBA blocks champions' quiz

The 'Youngest 30-point NBA Finals games' quiz

The 'NBA Defensive Players of the Year' quiz

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / November 12

Kevin Durant Explains The Rockets' Balanced Scoring

Six Rockets scored in double figures during Wednesday’s 115–108 win over the Golden State Warriors. Kevin Durant led the way with 20 points. Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun scored 19 points each, Fred VanVleet added 18, Jabari Smith Jr.

NBA News / Yardbarker

15 NBA non-lottery picks who outperformed everyone drafted ahead of them

The draft lottery is where you usually find the NBA's biggest stars. That's not always the case, though, as some later picks have proven to be some of the greatest players ever.

NBA News / NBA on ClutchPoints / November 12

Rockets’ Kevin Durant left Yaxel Lendeborg with a parting gift after Warriors game

On Wednesday evening, the Houston Rockets improved to 9-3 on the season with a comfortable home win over the Golden State Warriors. Kevin Durant was solid in this one, scoring 20 points and dishing out five assists in the win.

WNBA News

Valkyries win WNBA title behind Gabby Williams' dazzling Game 7 performance

Game 7 trending as most expensive WNBA Finals ticket ever

Angel Reese manifests Dream's Game 6 WNBA Finals win after gutsy prediction

Dream sell out Game 6 of WNBA Finals despite scheduling issue

Steph Curry News / Houston Rockets on SI / November 12

Winners and Losers from Rockets Win Over Warriors as Curry Leaves Early

While it's always instructive to face a streaking team at something close to full strength, sometimes getting the desired result is sufficient. So the Houston Rockets won't be sweating the fact that their ninth win of the season, and second straight, came against a Warriors team that didn't have its offensive engine after Wednesday's sixth minute.

Houston Rockets News / Yardbarker / November 12

Rockets' Kevin Durant passes NBA legend on all-time made field goals list

In leading his team in scoring and to a big win over the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant also moved up an all-time list Wednesday night.

Fred VanVleet opens up on what being back on the court means after missing a full year

Sixers’ Tyrese Maxey credits LeBron James: ‘He has made everybody willing passers’

The 'NBA all-time scoring leaders' quiz

NBA News / The Dream Shake / November 12

Rockets snag 115-108 win over shorthanded Warriors

The Houston Rockets will always take a victory over the Golden State Warriors, even when the Dubs are shorthanded, and that’s exactly what happened on Wednesday night.

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.

NBA News / HITC / November 12

Ime Udoka shares what Charles Bassey actually said to Marcus Smart

Everyone had a theory about the chirping between Charles Bassey and Marcus Smart, until Ime Udoka finally set the record straight. Even with Steph Curry heading to the locker room early with an injury, the Rockets and Warriors still gave fans a tight, ugly scrap right down to the wire.

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The '35 passing TD NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Last 30-rush game by NFL team' quiz

The '150-Rec.-Yard NFL teammates' quiz

The 'Most NFL QB rushing-TDs' quiz

NBA News / NBA on ClutchPoints / November 12

Rockets’ Kevin Durant gets real on Yaxel Lendeborg after battling rookie for first time

Kevin Durant has faced plenty of talented young players throughout his NBA career. However, the Houston Rockets veteran couldn’t resist praising the Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg for his potential.

Fred VanVleet News / Yardbarker / November 12

Fred VanVleet opens up on what being back on the court means after missing a full year

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has returned to basketball with a different appreciation for the game after a torn right ACL cost him the entire 2025-26 season.

The 'NBA all-time scoring leaders' quiz