Why the Houston Rockets Can't Afford to Concede the Rest of This NBA Season

The Houston Rockets find themselves in a tight spot. A frustrating stretch of losses has tested the patience of fans across Houston, and the Western Conference playoff race is showing no mercy. Still, the season is far from lost, and the Rockets have every reason to keep pushing.

According to a recent breakdown from Sports Illustrated, the idea of conceding the remaining games — even as the postseason picture grows murkier — would be a mistake. And they're right. This roster is too talented, too young, and too competitive to throw away valuable development time.

Why Houston Must Keep Competing

First, the Rockets are in the middle of a cultural rebuild. Head coach Ime Udoka is establishing an identity built around defense, discipline, and effort. Those traits don’t develop by easing off the gas the moment adversity hits. If anything, this is the moment to reinforce them.

The young core — including Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün, and Amen Thompson — needs these reps. Late-season pressure teaches poise, decision-making, and how to close out tough games. Those lessons carry over into future playoff pushes, whether they happen this year or next.

And let’s be honest: the Rockets aren’t out of the race yet. A winning streak could still pull them back into the conversation for a Play-In spot. This team has shown flashes of brilliance all season, beating contending squads and proving they can hang with anyone when locked in.

What’s Next for the Rockets?

Houston now enters a stretch of winnable games. Udoka will likely continue tightening rotations, leaning on players who bring consistent energy and defensive stability. Expect more touches for Şengün, more aggressive attacks from Green, and more playmaking from Thompson as the Rockets chase momentum.

Off the court, the front office is also watching closely. How this team finishes the season may influence summer decisions, including potential roster moves and contract extensions.

Regardless of where the Rockets land in the standings, treating these final games like they matter — because they do — is essential to building a winning foundation.

This article is a summary of reporting by Sports Illustrated. Read the full story here.