Houston Rockets season challenges

The Houston Rockets snapped a four‑game losing streak with a win over the Denver Nuggets, but persistent perimeter‑shooting deficiencies remain a concern despite contributions from Russell Westbrook, James Harden and new acquisitions. Off‑season additions such as Kevin Durant, Marcus Smart, Bruce Thornton and Bogdan Bogdanović have not yet solved the team’s spacing problems.

Off the court, the franchise is grappling with fan criticism and internal tension, leading forward Alperen Şengün to delete his social‑media account. While rumors of discord with Durant and head coach Ime Udoka were denied, the hostile environment underscores the pressure on the roster. Analysts now view the Rockets as a second‑tier Western Conference team for the upcoming season, counting on the return of key players like Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams and the veteran presence of Smart to improve on the previous year’s playoff exit.