Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Despite 0-2 Start to the Season, There Have Been Some Positives for the Rockets

The Houston Rockets have not gotten off to the start many expected they would going 0-2 after a loss to the Detroit Pistons on Friday. The Rockets went 4-0 in the preseason and many thought that would continue right into the regular season after the trade for Kevin Durant this past offseason.

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Rockets plan to apply for DPE over Fred VanVleet’s injury

The Rockets plan to file for a Disabled Players Exception due to Fred VanVleet‘s knee injury, Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports tweets. Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, the exception would be worth $12.5MM — the equivalent to 50 percent of VanVleet’s $25MM salary.

Alperen Sengun News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 27

CBS Sports: Rockets' Alperen Sengun Could Garner MVP Consideration

Following the injury to Fred VanVleet, it was very clear that Alperen Sengun was going to have a much different role for the Houston Rockets this season.

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NBA News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 27

Pistons' Cade Cunningham Gives Rockets' Alperen Sengun His Flowers

The Houston Rockets' 2025-26 season hasn't quite gotten off to a great start, as the team lost both of their games thus far. But it's far too early to draw long-term conclusions. Aside from the fact that the team dearly misses a facilitating floor general who can bring the ball up the court.

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Houston Rockets News / The Dream Shake / October 27

Should Rockets fans be concerned after an 0-2 start?

The Houston Rockets are 0-2 after a double-overtime loss to the champs on opening night in OKC, and a rather disappointing 115-111 loss to the Detroit Pistons in the Rockets home opener.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 26

The Rockets Are Experimenting So Far: Which Lineups Are Working, Which Aren’t?

Through two games, the Houston Rockets are 0-2. Yes, it's a disappointing start, but it's no reason to panic, at least not yet. The 2025-26 season is barely underway, and the NBA is a game of runs.

Kevin Durant News / Field Level Media / October 26

Rockets trying to unleash Kevin Durant; Nets loving their "fight"

There was little reason to expect the Houston Rockets' offseason addition of Kevin Durant to their lineup would yield a seamless transition, even given Durant's reputation as one of the premier scorers in NBA history and the Rockets' standing as one of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 26

Why Houston Rockets Fans Can't Panic Amid A 0-2 Start

After the Houston Rockets dropped their home opener against the Detroit Pistons, Kevin Durant was fairly optimistic despite the team getting off to a 0-2 start.

Houston Rockets News / NBA Analysis Network / October 26

Gilbert Arenas points out Kevin Durant sacrifices ‘no one praises,’ it helped Steph Curry make $200m

Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets haven’t had an ideal start to the 2025-26 NBA season. After all, the Houston Rockets are off to a 0-2 start, despite Kevin Durant averaging 30.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.

Josh Okogie News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 26

Josh Okogie Has Shown Value Off the Bench Through Two Games

The Houston Rockets had one of, if not the most, active offseasons in the NBA. Not only did they trade for one of the greatest offensive players of all time, Kevin Durant, but they also signed multiple free agents.

Alperen Sengun News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 26

CBS Sports Predicts All-NBA Team for Rockets' Alperen Sengun

Alperen Sengun was expected to have a "leap year", so to speak this season. Granted, the Houston Rockets young center elevated to All-Star status in 2024-25, but he still didn't quite get the national recognition that one would expect. Players have certainly taken notice.

Houston Rockets News / Last Word On Sports / October 26

Injured Player’s Debut Could Bolster Rockets

The Houston Rockets’ 2025-26 season hasn’t started out quite as the team had hoped. However, the season-long absence of starting point guard Fred VanVleet was always going to necessitate an awkward adjustment period.

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 26

Kevin Durant is Still Optimistic, Despite Rockets' Winless Start

The Houston Rockets entered the 2025-26 season with high expectations. Everyone tabbed them as one of the league's premier teams. Especially in the Western Conference. The addition of Kevin Durant signaled that the team was officially done rebuilding and ready to contend.

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Houston Rockets News / Last Word On Sports / October 26

An Encouraging Sign Amid Rockets’ 0-2 Start

It goes without saying that two games into the season is never the time to panic. That’s especially true for the Houston Rockets, who have dropped both games in a young campaign.

Kevin Durant News / Hoops Wire / October 26

NBA Notes: Rockets, Kevin Durant, Hawks, Grizzlies, injuries

An 0-2 start isn’t setting off alarms in Houston, but there’s no question the Rockets have early kinks to fix. Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle writes that while Kevin Durant poured in 37 points Friday, the rest of the offense looked disjointed.

Reed Sheppard News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 25

Rockets' Reed Sheppard Said to Have Starter-Level Potential This Season

Through two games, the Houston Rockets are 0-2. It's a disappointing start, but nothing to be concerned about. They've suffered defeats to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, and most recently, a Detroit Pistons team that will, in all likelihood, make the playoffs.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 25

Yahoo Sports Ranks Rockets as Fourth-Most Exciting Team to Watch on League Pass

This year's Houston Rockets team has a bit of everything. They've got established, young stars in Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun. The latter has already unequivocally become one of the best 10 players at his position, drawing comparisons to Nikola Jokic, who has won multiple MVPs.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 25

Views from the Game: Houston Rockets Lose to Pistons, Fall to 0-2

The Houston Rockets started their 2025-26 season on the road, taking on the defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets led for most of the way before the Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, mounted a comeback to force overtime.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 25

Defense Has Hindered the Rockets' First Two Games

Coming into the 2025-26 regular season, many people expected the Houston Rockets' defense to take a hit after losing key on-ball defenders due to trades and injury.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / October 25

Who Can Organize The Offense For The Rockets?

The impact of losing Fred VanVleet before the season has culminated in a few difficult losses for the Houston Rockets. Two tight games resulted in clutch defeats after some inconsistencies on both sides of the floor.

Kevin Durant News / Hoops Wire / October 25

Kevin Durant says Rockets frustrated after 0–2 start, but sees fire as positive

The Rockets are winless and frustrated, and according to Kevin Durant, that’s exactly how they should feel. “Coaching staff is pissed off, players are pissed off,” Durant said, via ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime after Houston’s 115–111 home loss to the Pistons on Friday night.

Houston Rockets News / Athlon Sports / October 23

Jeff Teague Admits Amen Thompson Can be like Rajon Rondo

With one game done in the 2025-26 season, the Houston Rockets already have a prominent issue. Everyone knew that losing Fred VanVleet would be a big blow, but it was evident during the Rockets' 125-124 double overtime loss.

Alperen Sengun News / Yardbarker / October 21

Alperen Sengun's shooting transforms Rockets offense in opener

The Houston Rockets got a sweet shooting addition to their front court to open up their offense in the new season. But it wasn't the one they expected in Tuesday's 125-124 2OT loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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