Houston Rockets Earn a Midseason 'B' — Are They Just Getting Started?

The Houston Rockets have reached the midpoint of the season with a solid assessment from analysts, earning a midseason grade of "B" from CBS Sports. For a young team still learning how to win consistently, that mark signals both real progress and unfinished business for a franchise eager to reestablish itself among the Western Conference threats.

Under second-year head coach Ime Udoka, the Rockets have taken clear steps forward. The team’s defense has emerged as one of the most improved units in the league, and the growing chemistry among young cornerstones — including Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, and Jabari Smith Jr. — has been a defining storyline. Veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks have anchored the team’s culture, providing the steadiness this roster has lacked in recent years.

Why the Rockets Landed a 'B'

CBS Sports pointed to Houston’s defensive identity, balanced roster, and early-season consistency as the key factors behind the grade. While the Rockets have shown flashes of being a playoff-caliber group, their road struggles and occasional offensive droughts have kept them from earning a higher mark.

For fans in Houston, the improvement is noticeable. Not long ago, the Rockets were trapped at the bottom of the standings with no clear direction. Now, they’re competitive every night and sit within striking distance of a postseason run if they can finish the season strong.

What’s Next for Houston?

The Rockets’ next test is consistency. The talent is there, the defensive framework is strong, and the locker room has bought into the vision. To turn a good season into a great one, Houston will need improved late-game execution and more reliable scoring from its young guards.

With the trade deadline approaching, the Rockets also have the flexibility to make roster moves if they choose. Whether they opt for upgrades now or let the roster develop organically, Houston is clearly trending upward.

For a city hungry for playoff basketball, a midseason "B" feels less like a final verdict and more like a sign that this team still has room — and ambition — to grow.

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