As the NBA gears up for its post-All-Star break sprint to the finish line, the Houston Rockets find themselves in a fascinating - and precarious - position. With 29 games left in the regular season, Houston is tied in the loss column with the Denver Nuggets, who currently hold the No. 3 seed in the West. That means the Rockets are just a hot streak away from a favorable playoff path - or a cold stretch from falling into the Play-In Tournament.
There’s plenty of noise surrounding the team right now, both on and off the court. But with the season’s most critical stretch about to begin, the spotlight is squarely on this Rockets squad to prove they’re more than just a fun story. Here are five big questions they’ll need to answer if they want to make real noise come playoff time.
1. Can the Rockets handle adversity when it matters most?
Let’s be real - the drama swirling around Kevin Durant and the alleged burner account isn’t going away overnight. Whether it fades or flares up again, the Rockets will have to navigate the distractions that come with it. Opposing fans won’t let it go, and it’s the kind of off-court noise that can test a team’s chemistry and focus.
But even before the social media saga, Houston had shown cracks under pressure. They’re just 13-15 in clutch games - defined as games within five points in the final five minutes - and there have been moments this season when frustration has boiled over on the court. That’s not unusual for a team still learning how to win together, but it’s a red flag as the postseason looms.
Ime Udoka has challenged this group’s toughness more than once, and now’s the time to show they’ve taken that message to heart. It’s not about advanced metrics or fancy play designs - it’s about effort, sacrifice, and unity.
Are they willing to grind out ugly wins? Will they stay together when the pressure ramps up?
The Rockets have talent, no doubt. But championship teams are built on more than that.
They’ll need to prove they have the mental makeup to weather the storms ahead.
2. Can Kevin Durant stay healthy - and fresh?
Durant has been nothing short of a rock for Houston this season. At 37, he’s played in 50 of the team’s 53 games and ranks among the league leaders in minutes. That kind of availability is rare for a player his age - especially one with his injury history - and it’s been a massive reason why the Rockets are in the thick of the playoff race.
But the question now becomes: Can he keep this up?
Durant is logging heavy minutes - 37 per game - and carrying a significant offensive load. He’s still producing at an elite level, but the Rockets have to be careful not to burn him out before the games really start to matter. Finding ways to manage his workload, whether through rotation tweaks or more support from the supporting cast, is going to be crucial.
If Durant is healthy and rested, Houston can hang with anyone in the West. If he’s not, their ceiling drops dramatically. It’s that simple.
3. How high can Alperen Şengün elevate his game?
Durant may be the face of the franchise, but Şengün is the engine that can take this team to another level. When he’s aggressive and locked in, the Rockets’ offense flows through him beautifully. But lately, his efficiency has taken a dip.
Over his last 12 games, Şengün is averaging 18.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.9 assists - solid numbers - but he’s shooting just 45.7% from the field and under 65% from the line. That’s a drop-off from his earlier-season form, and Houston needs more.
There have been flashes - like his 39-point outburst against Indiana - but consistency is the key. With Steven Adams out for the year, Şengün has to anchor the frontcourt on both ends. That means battling with elite bigs like Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama, and doing it night after night.
Defensively, he still has room to grow. Offensively, he’s being asked to play point center - initiating actions, facilitating, and scoring.
It’s a big ask, but Şengün has the talent. If he can tighten up the details and string together dominant performances, he could be the X-factor that turns Houston from a playoff team into a contender.
4. Is Reed Sheppard ready for the spotlight?
Reed Sheppard might not be a household name yet, but within the Rockets’ locker room, he’s a key piece to the puzzle. When his shot is falling, Houston’s offense opens up in a major way. When it’s not, things can get stagnant fast.
Sheppard is the team’s top shooter outside of Durant, and his movement off the ball, ability to run pick-and-roll, and quick-trigger release make him a constant threat. He’s not just a floor spacer - he’s a playmaker in his own right.
Of course, he’s had his struggles, especially on the defensive end. But the Rockets are banking on his growth down the stretch.
They need a wild card, someone who can swing a game with a hot shooting night or a timely steal. Sheppard fits that mold better than anyone else on the roster.
If he can embrace the moment and deliver, it’ll take a ton of pressure off Durant and Şengün - and make Houston that much harder to guard.
5. Can Dorian Finney-Smith find his form in time?
When the Rockets signed Dorian Finney-Smith to a four-year, $53 million deal last summer, the vision was clear: a versatile, playoff-tested forward who could knock down threes and defend multiple positions. But through 20 games, that vision hasn’t materialized.
Finney-Smith is shooting just 13-of-53 from beyond the arc - that’s 24.5% - and has only made more than one three in a game twice. Since returning from offseason ankle surgery in late December, he hasn’t looked fully comfortable.
The All-Star break could be a turning point. Sometimes, a little rest and reset is all it takes for a veteran to get back on track.
And the Rockets need him. His size, defensive instincts, and postseason experience are all valuable - especially when rotations tighten in April and May.
Right now, Houston’s bench production is thin. Outside of Sheppard, they don’t have many guys who can swing a game off the pine. If Finney-Smith can rediscover his rhythm, he could be a difference-maker in a playoff series.
The Bottom Line
The Rockets are at a crossroads. They’ve got a Hall of Famer still playing at an elite level, a young star in Şengün who’s on the verge of a breakout, and a supporting cast with the potential to elevate the team - if they can put it all together.
There’s no shortage of talent in Houston. The question is whether they can stay healthy, stay focused, and stay together when the pressure hits. The next 29 games will tell us everything we need to know.