It’s been a tough go for the Houston Rockets lately, but things are looking up.
Heading into December with a 13-4 record, Houston has since stumbled to a 6-6 mark since Dec. 1 amid its defensive struggles and inability to close games. Its worst stretch came in mid-December, when the Rockets lost four of five games to some of the bottom teams in the Western Conference, like the Pelicans, Kings, and the Clippers.
While those concerns remain, Houston has started to turn things around, winning their last two games by a combined 40 points. With a matchup against the 6-26 Pacers in its final game of 2025, the Rockets could end the year on a three-game win streak after the worst stretch of its young season.
Rockets building momentum
The Rockets seemingly hit rock bottom on their losing streak, but have started to climb back up. Both of the opponents Houston beat, Cleveland and Los Angeles, have struggled lately. Their head coaches each expressed frustration after the games over their team’s effort, but this two-game stretch is more about the potential Houston has shown for a long-term turnaround than the quality of its opponents.
When looking at the catalyst behind their last two wins, the simple answer is that the Rockets are the deepest they’ve been all season. Dorian Finney-Smith made his long-awaited Rockets debut in Houston’s blowout win over the Lakers, then scored his first points as a Rocket in a big win against the Cavs.
Tari Eason has also impressed as a starter since returning from an oblique strain, shooting 43.8% from deep in the four games he’s played. His floor spacing has done wonders for Houston’s offense, creating more space for Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun to break down opposing defenses.
The Rockets have relied heavily on Durant and Sengun so far this season, but they didn’t have to as much in their last two games. Houston was easily able to take down the Cavs with Sengun out because of calf soreness, and he was limited in its win over the Lakers.
As for Durant, he’s scored a combined 55 points over Houston’s last two games, but he’s done so efficiently on a relatively low number of shot attempts considering his talent. He played just 28 minutes against the Cavs, his second-lowest mark all season. That’s a testament to how well Houston’s played and how the Rockets have been able to rely on their depth.
It’s a small sample size, but there’s been a lot to like from Houston over their last two games. With a forgiving schedule ahead of the Rockets, who are the healthiest they’ve been all season, they could quickly put a nightmare stretch behind them while restoring their status as a contender.