The Rockets are nearly at the finish line of a long preseason runway, and the first real test arrives fast. Houston opens its 2026-27 season against the Dallas Mavericks on October 21, the same opponent it saw on its preseason trip that took the team thousands of miles for two games.
That opener starts a tough early stretch. Seven of the Rockets’ first 10 games come against playoff teams from last season, so there’s not much room to ease into things. Houston is coming off a 52-win season, but also back-to-back first-round exits, which only sharpens the need for a strong start.
The team has had the kind of preparation most clubs don’t get. Training camp began a week early, and the Rockets have already put in two practices since their final preseason game on Thursday. They practiced again Sunday, mixing in a scrimmage with the usual shooting work.
After practice, Ime Udoka addressed a few of the biggest rotation questions hanging over the roster. One of them centered on Reed Sheppard, especially now that Marcus Smart and Fred VanVleet are back in the mix and the backcourt looks deeper than it has in some time. Asked whether Sheppard’s shooting can keep him in the rotation even if his defense has growing pains, Udoka didn’t hesitate: “Yes, Reed will be a huge part of what we do.”
Udoka also discussed the status of VanVleet and Steven Adams, both of whom are working back from major injuries suffered last season. He was asked whether either player would be under a minutes restriction when the season opens.
Another piece of the conversation was Houston’s rotation shape in general. Udoka said the Rockets are aiming to use a 10-man rotation to begin the year. That approach fits with the plan to manage Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson minutes after last season, while also accounting for VanVleet and Adams not playing in one of the two back-to-back games.
Houston opens at Toyota Center on Wednesday, October 21, before heading to San Antonio for Game 2 against the Spurs.
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Rockets Lock In Final Roster Depth Ahead Of Opening Night
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Sean Pedulla was waived to make the roster math work, leaving Houston with its final look heading into the opener. For a team still sorting out how best to support its core, these end-of-camp moves matter because they shape the pipeline between the NBA club and the developmental side, even if the spotlight is elsewhere once the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]