The Houston Rockets' 2025-26 season ended with a 78-98 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on May 2, 2026, sealing a first-round playoff exit. Their postseason hopes were derailed early by a devastating injury to point guard Fred VanVleet, which exposed critical weaknesses in their offensive structure.
Fred VanVleet's ACL tear just before the regular season was a massive blow. The team lost its primary ball-handler and floor general. Without him, the offense collapsed. After January 1, Houston ranked in the bottom five for points per game, three-pointers made, and three-point percentage.
Young forward Amen Thompson was thrust into point guard duties, a role he wasn't ready for. Rookie shooter Reed Sheppard also struggled with playmaking due to his physical limitations. This left immense pressure on the team's stars to create everything.
Kevin Durant, at 37 years old, delivered an All-NBA performance. He averaged 26 points per game and shot an exceptional 41.3% from three-point range. He played his most games since 2019, carrying a heavy load.
Alperen Sengun had a volatile year. He was a top-10 MVP candidate in December and the engine of a dominant interior game with Steven Adams. Before Adams' own season-ending injury in January, the Rockets were tracking for a historic offensive rebound rate of 40.8%. Sengun's athletic limitations, however, became a problem on defense as the season wore on.
The Rockets' biggest offseason loss was Dorian Finney-Smith. His $53 million deal was a major disappointment, as he averaged just 3.3 points and shot 27.0% from three in 37 games. Josh Okogie also departed after a season where his offensive metrics were among the team's worst.
Houston's most significant addition is veteran guard Marcus Smart. He tormented the Rockets in the playoffs, averaging nearly 15 points, shooting almost 45% from deep, and racking up 4.4 combined steals and blocks per game for the Lakers. Getting that version of Smart provides a secondary ball-handler and elite perimeter defender the team desperately needs.
Health is the single biggest factor. A full season from Fred VanVleet changes everything. It allows Amen Thompson to develop at his natural forward position and takes creation pressure off Kevin Durant. The integration of Marcus Smart into the backcourt rotation adds toughness and playmaking.
Alperen Sengun's consistency will be vital.
The Rockets have the star power in Durant and Sengun. They now have experienced guard depth with VanVleet and Smart. If they can stay healthy, this roster has the pieces to be a dangerous playoff team. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our schedule page as the new campaign approaches.
