Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas, competing in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Founded in 1967 as the San Diego Rockets, the franchise relocated to Houston in 1971 and has since become one of the league's most storied franchises. The Rockets are best known for winning back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995, led by Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon. The team has also produced iconic players such as Moses Malone, Calvin Murphy, Yao Ming, James Harden, and Tracy McGrady. Playing their home games at the Toyota Center, the Rockets have made 38 playoff appearances and have retired nine jersey numbers. In recent years, the franchise has undergone a rebuild, focusing on a young core of talents including Jalen Green, Alperen Şengün, and Jabari Smith Jr., under the guidance of head coach Ime Udoka.

As of the 2024-25 NBA season, the Houston Rockets are in the midst of a roster rebuild while aiming to return to playoff contention. After finishing the previous season with a 41-41 record, narrowly missing the play-in tournament, the team has shown steady improvement. Young cornerstone Jalen Green continues to develop into an explosive scoring guard, while Turkish center Alperen Şengün has emerged as a versatile playmaker and post presence. The Rockets added veteran depth in free agency and have a promising mix of youth and experience. Through mid-season, the team has hovered around the middle of the Western Conference standings, competing for a play-in spot. The franchise remains committed to player development and building a sustainable winning culture under coach Ime Udoka.