With just two games remaining before a much needed break, the Rockets stand fourth in the Western Conference, just a half game out of third, but also just two games out of seventh. It’s a bunched up group of teams sitting behind the conference leading Thunder and close behind Spurs.
The All-Star break should give the Rockets time to get refreshed, but not before a couple more games. Here’s what’s been going on in Rocket-land.
Sengun an All-Star
Alperen Sengun will play in his second All-Star game as an injury replacement for OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Sengun made the team last year outright, but will be back again this season now that SGA is out. The Rockets big man is averaging 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, while shooting just below 50 percent from the floor, numbers that are very similar to what he has done the last two seasons. He remains a huge part of the Rockets offense and is arguably deserving of the All-Star spot even without the injury replacement.
Quiet Trade Deadline
As expected by many (but disappointing for some), the Rockets did nothing at the trade deadline, deciding to stand pat with their current roster. There was some talk of adding a player in the buyout market following the deadline, but that didn’t happen either. It was rumored the team was looking for a veteran at point and at center to help make up for the losses of VanVleet and Steven Adams, but GM Rafael Stone wasn’t ready to break up what he sees as a talented lineup with real promise now and in the future.
The Rockets will have the ability to clear a significant amount of cap space this offseason and many believe it is there where the Rockets will try to exercise their options rather than now when they are still in contention in the very densely packed West.
Back-to-Back Clippers
Again with the weird schedule quirk as the Rockets face the LA Clippers twice on back-to-back days at the Toyota Center this week. While the Rockets were quiet at the deadline, the Clippers remade their team trading both James Harden and Ivica Zubac returning Darius Garland and Benedict Mathurin along with some picks. It makes the team significantly younger, but also dims their hopes this season. Gardland is still recovering from an injury and won’t play in either game.
It puts a lot of pressure on Kawhi Leonard, who was part of numerous trade conversations at the deadline but remained in Los Angeles.
The Road Ahead
The Rockets emerge from the break with a pair of tough road games in Charlotte and New York for the Knicks. After that, the schedule softens a bit as they close out February with games against Utah, Sacramento, Orlando, Miami and the newly made over Wizards. It’s going to be a race to the finish out West and the Rockets have little margin for error.
This article appears in Private: Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2026.