In another heartbreaker for Houston, the Rockets let an 18-point lead slip away in the final quarter, falling 108-106 to the Knicks. This latest setback highlights a recurring issue for the Rockets-closing out games. With season-ending injuries to key players like Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, these struggles have kept Houston from solidifying their status as true contenders this season.
Under head coach Ime Udoka, Houston has now let 11 fourth-quarter leads slip away this season alone. Since Udoka took the helm in April 2023, the Rockets have blown 37 leads in the final frame. This persistent issue could be a major roadblock for Houston's playoff aspirations.
When asked about the recent collapse, Udoka pointed to a lack of ball movement, saying the team was "isolating too much." He emphasized the need for players like Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard to take charge and ensure the offense runs smoothly.
Udoka's track record in late-game situations has been a talking point since his time with the Celtics, where similar issues were evident despite a trip to the NBA Finals. Now in his third year with the Rockets, the pattern remains. Houston's inability to close out games is a glaring problem, as evidenced by their 26 blown leads in Udoka's first two seasons.
This season, Houston's 11 blown leads rank them among the top 10 in the league for this unfortunate statistic. One notable collapse came on December 18, when they squandered a 25-point third-quarter lead against the struggling Pelicans, marking the largest blown lead in the NBA this season.
While Udoka is known for elevating team performance, the Rockets' inability to maintain leads, combined with their injury woes, threatens to cut their playoff journey short. In the postseason, where every possession counts, Houston's late-game struggles could prove costly.