The Houston Rockets have taken a slight dip in the latest NBA power rankings, landing at No. 7 following the trade deadline. That’s one spot lower than their previous position, and it places them behind the Thunder, Spurs, and Nuggets out West, and behind the Pistons, Knicks, and Celtics overall. While it’s not a dramatic fall, it does reflect a few recent bumps in the road-and a few lingering questions about the team’s direction.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Rockets’ recent stretch hasn’t exactly been their strongest. A razor-thin win over the Pacers was followed by back-to-back home losses-first to the Celtics on February 4, then a surprising stumble against the Hornets just a day later. That kind of inconsistency is tough to overlook, especially when it comes right before the All-Star break, a time when teams want to be peaking, not searching for answers.
Then there’s the trade deadline. Or more specifically, the lack of action from Houston’s front office.
While other teams made moves to bolster their rosters for the stretch run, the Rockets stood pat. That decision left fans scratching their heads, especially given the team’s ongoing search for a true starting-caliber point guard.
But despite the noise, head coach Ime Udoka and GM Rafael Stone remain confident in the group they’ve assembled. And to be fair, there’s still a lot to like about this roster.
Take Saturday’s win over the Thunder, for example. That game might’ve saved them from sliding further in the rankings-and it was a showcase of what this team can be when things click.
Alperen Sengun notched his second triple-double of the season, continuing his breakout campaign as one of the league’s most versatile young bigs. And Tari Eason?
He turned in his best performance of the year, dropping 26 points and pulling down 8 rebounds in a game that reminded everyone just how high his ceiling is.
Statistically, Houston still has a strong case to be a top-10 team. They rank ninth in offensive rating (117.1) and an impressive fourth in defensive rating (112.0), according to NBA.com.
That defensive identity has been a cornerstone of their success all season, and it’s a credit to Udoka’s system and the buy-in from the entire roster. They also continue to dominate the glass, leading the league in offensive rebound percentage-though that could take a hit with Steven Adams sidelined for the rest of the season.
So where does that leave the Rockets heading into the All-Star break? In a bit of a holding pattern.
They’ve shown flashes of being a legitimate threat in the West, but consistency remains the missing ingredient. The break should give them a chance to reset, recharge, and hopefully come back with a bit more clarity-especially in the backcourt.
If you’re looking to catch some Rockets representation during All-Star Weekend, there’s plenty to watch. Reed Sheppard will suit up in the Rising Stars Game on Friday, while Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant will take the floor in Sunday’s All-Star Game-Sengun representing Team World, and Durant playing for Team USA.
The Rockets may have slipped a spot in the rankings, but they’re still firmly in the conversation. With a little rest and a strong post-break push, they’ve got the tools to climb right back up.