Houston Rockets 2025 Season Review: A Breakthrough Year Ends in Heartbreak
Calendar icon Updated 08 Aug 11:50

Houston Rockets 2025 Season Review: A Breakthrough Year Ends in Heartbreak

Kaleb Vanderhorst

The 2024-25 season marked a turning point for the Houston Rockets, as they finally managed to make their way back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

Under second-year head coach Ime Udoka, the Rockets transformed from a rebuilding team into a legitimate Western Conference contender, finishing with a solid 52-30 record and claiming the Southwest Division title.

However, their promising campaign ultimately ended in disappointment with a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.

Performance

The Rockets’ regular-season performance exceeded all expectations from both fans and analysts.

They made a dramatic leap from their previous campaign, cementing their status as one of the most improved teams in the NBA. Finishing second in the Western Conference with a 52-30 record, Houston surpassed their preseason over-under of 43.5 wins by a huge margin, powered by their young core.

Defensively, the Rockets also were fantastic, taking leaps and bounds since last year. They allowed just 109.8 points per game (sixth of 30) with a defensive rating of 110.8 (fourth of 30), establishing themselves as one of the league’s premier defensive units.

The defence was anchored by their commitment to transition plays and rebounding, areas that had plagued the franchise during their rebuilding years.

Moreover, with their young energy, the Rockets managed to rank fifth in fast-break points allowed per game, cutting opponents’ fast-break opportunities by limiting turnovers and getting back on defence after misses.

The boards were also their strong point, as they led the league with 48.5 rebounds per game, controlling the glass on both ends of the floor. This physicality and effort became the foundation of their identity.

Alperen Şengün emerged as the unlikely centrepiece, earning his first All-Star selection and leading the Rockets in multiple statistical categories throughout the season. His development into a legitimate franchise cornerstone provided the stability and leadership the young roster needed.

Meanwhile, Jalen Green averaged 21 points per game during the regular season, up year over year, and earned NBA Player of the Week honours twice, though his playoff performance left much to be desired.

Lastly, Fred VanVleet was instrumental down the stretch and in the playoffs. His experience and steady presence helped guide the young core through their first taste of sustained success.

Playoff Performance

The Rockets’ first playoff appearance in five years started on a promising note but ended in disappointment. They lost to the Golden State Warriors 4-3 in the Western Conference First Round, despite forcing a Game 7 after trailing 3-1 in the series.

The series put both the team’s resilience and their inexperience on display. After falling behind 3-1, the Rockets mounted an impressive comeback, winning the next two games to force a Game 7.

However, they would eventually fall 103-89, with the Warriors powered by 33 points from Buddy Hield and 22 points from Stephen Curry.

Individual player performance varied widely from game to game, but Fred VanVleet was instrumental in extending the series, particularly in Games 5 and 6, when he delivered 29 points in the latter.

However, Jalen Green played quite terribly throughout the series, averaging just 13.3 points per game on 37.2% shooting, including a dismal 29.5% from three-point range. His performance in one of the biggest games of his career became a huge storyline and raised questions about his future role with the franchise.

The series loss was particularly painful given how close the Rockets came to completing what would have been a historic comeback. Even with a late push in Game 7, they just couldn’t get it done.

Next Season Outlook

The Rockets will enter the 2025-26 season with dramatically different expectations following a blockbuster trade that reshaped their roster.

Houston have reportedly agreed to trade Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to Phoenix in exchange for Kevin Durant, along with the No. 10 pick in the 2025 Draft and five future second-round picks. This move signals a clear “win-now” approach, with management believing that adding a proven veteran could push them over the top.

The Durant acquisition transforms the Rockets from a promising young team into legitimate title contenders. His veteran leadership and scoring ability should provide the playoff experience and clutch performance that were missing in their first-round exit.

The trade should also bolster them on the offensive side of the ball in the half-court, as Durant can help them when the offence stagnates.

Houston have also re-signed Fred VanVleet to a two-year, $50 million deal, making sure this new core stays together for at least a couple of years. The team also need to make decisions regarding rookie extensions for Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, both of whom are eligible until October 21.

However, the biggest thing going into next season will be the development of Amen Thompson and the continued growth of Alperen Şengün. They will ultimately determine how high the Rockets’ ceiling is.

The organization does seem to understand what they have, committing to their young players’ growth while still trying to win, which should provide a good balance with the win-now attitude Durant brings.

With Durant joining a roster that already proved capable of winning 52 games and competing with elite teams, the Rockets have positioned themselves as potential championship contenders in the loaded Western Conference. The 2025-26 season will be the ultimate test of whether this blend of youth, experience, and star power can deliver the franchise’s first championship since the mid-1990s.

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