Ben DuBose - HoustonNewMedia.org

After routing Portland, Rockets storm back into 2025 NBA Cup race

Ben DuBose — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 16:46:46 +0000

When Houston lost its Emirates NBA Cup 2025 opener by double digits in San Antonio, its odds of advancing to December’s eight-team knockout rounds appeared low. But one week later, after Friday’s 24-point blowout of Portland (led by Kevin Durant, who scored 30 points and was +37 in his minutes), the Rockets are now in […]

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Seat changes are officially underway at Toyota Center

Ben DuBose — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 23:06:23 +0000

In a self-funded project (reportedly at an investment of over $10 million), the Houston Rockets are replacing the 17,000 bowl seats inside their home arena of Toyota Center. The new seats feature a black sports-weave material, which will represent a noticeable change relative to the venue’s current color scheme of red. In advance of Wednesday’s […]

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2025 NBA Cup: Rockets in difficult spot after opening loss to Spurs

Ben DuBose — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 17:43:26 +0000

Last fall, the Houston Rockets made an impressive run to the semifinals of the annual Emirates NBA Cup. That in-season tournament run concluded with a last-second home win over the Golden State Warriors in a thrilling quarterfinal and a competitive semifinal loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas. Both were single elimination games, […]

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Report: Rockets not likely to pursue Ja Morant trade with Grizzlies

Ben DuBose — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 22:16:41 +0000

Just prior to training camp, the Houston Rockets lost veteran point guard Fred VanVleet (right knee ACL repair) to a potentially season ending injury. That development led many observers around the league to speculate that Houston might pursue an external upgrade at point guard. Yet, six games into the 2025-26 season, the Rockets (4-2) own […]

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As Houston’s point guard, Amen Thompson draws praise from Jason Kidd for his offense

Ben DuBose — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:32:30 +0000

HOUSTON — Amen Thompson may not look like a traditional point guard, but he’s filling in capably for the Rockets in the absence of veteran Fred VanVleet. The Rockets (3-2) entered Monday’s home game versus Dallas (2-4) on a three-game winning streak, and their 22-year-old rising star was +77 when playing during those games. For […]

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Zach Lowe loves the ‘scientific experiment’ of 2025-26 Rockets

Ben DuBose — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 15:39:57 +0000

After losing Fred VanVleet to a potentially season ending knee injury, the Rockets aren’t starting a traditional point guard. The closest thing in Houston’s starting lineup, Amen Thompson, hasn’t even made a single 3-pointer through four games. And yet, at the moment, the Rockets (2-2) have the NBA’s best offense of the 2025-26 season. One […]

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Rockets rout Raptors as Houston becomes NBA’s No. 1 offense

Ben DuBose — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 13:46:27 +0000

With Wednesday’s 139-121 victory at Toronto, the Rockets (2-2) secured their first winning streak of the 2025-26 campaign and are now NBA’s top-rated offense of the young season. Featuring Dave Hardisty, Ben DuBose, and Paulo Alves, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame show recaps all the key storylines from that showing against the Raptors. Discussion topics include […]

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One month post-surgery, Fred VanVleet moving without assistance or brace at Rockets’ practice

Ben DuBose — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 23:43:03 +0000

Less than a month after undergoing ACL surgery on his right knee, veteran Rockets guard Fred VanVleet is already walking without crutches, a limp, or a brace. VanVleet was seen by reporters at Houston’s practice on Thursday, where the Rockets (0-1) were gearing up for Friday’s regular-season home opener against the Detroit Pistons (0-1). Known […]

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Rockets, Kevin Durant sign two-year extension at sub-max rate

Ben DuBose — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 14:19:32 +0000

Just as he suggested when training camp opened, Kevin Durant has indeed signed a contract extension to remain with the Houston Rockets. The two-year extension, which is the maximum contract length Durant can sign at 37 years old, is for $90 million and contains a player option for year two, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. While […]

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Rockets, Kevin Durant sign two-year extension at sub-max rate

Ben DuBose — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 14:19:32 +0000

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Injury updates: Jae’Sean Tate rejoins Rockets, Dorian Finney-Smith still out

Ben DuBose — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 19:27:24 +0000

Neither Jae’Sean Tate nor Dorian Finney-Smith played in the 2025-26 preseason for the Rockets, with both Houston forwards sidelined due to offseason ankle surgeries. While neither issue is considered a long-term concern, Tate is slightly ahead of Finney-Smith in his recovery, and the hope is that Tate could be available when Houston’s regular-schedule begins at […]

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SI: Kevin Durant wants Houston to be his final NBA stop

Ben DuBose — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 13:02:59 +0000

Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant is on the cover of the upcoming November print issue of Sports Illustrated. That issue is the iconic magazine’s official 2025-26 basketball preview. Written by NBA writer Chris Mannix, the cover story profiles how trading for the All-Star forward in the 2025 offseason could have the Rockets poised for championship […]

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NBA GMs see big season ahead for rising Rockets star Amen Thompson

Ben DuBose — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:21:23 +0000

As part of the annual NBA GM survey, NBA.com’s John Schuhmann polls the top decision-makers for each of the league’s 30 teams. Poll topics include the best teams, players, coaches, and offseason moves, with general managers not allowed to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to […]

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Shams: Rockets, Kevin Durant optimistic about contract extension prior to season

Ben DuBose — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:57:39 +0000

Kevin Durant already made it clear at Houston’s Sept. 29 media day that he intends to sign a contract extension with the Rockets. It’s simply a matter of when and how much. And we may not have to wait long to find out. ESPN insider Shams Charania said this on Wednesday’s NBA Today television show: […]

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Rockets likely to pursue disabled player exception for Fred VanVleet

Ben DuBose — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 21:24:48 +0000

As first reported by ESPN, the Houston Rockets are likely to pursue a disabled player exception for veteran guard Fred VanVleet, a team source confirmed to ClutchFans. VanVleet tore the ACL in his right knee last month and could miss the entire 2025-26 season after undergoing surgery, though a timetable has yet to be specified. […]

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Jabari Smith Jr. rejoins Houston’s starting lineup for 2025-26 season

Ben DuBose — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 19:39:31 +0000

As expected, fourth-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. is returning to the starting lineup for the 2025-26 Houston Rockets. “For the most part we have four guys penciled in, and we’ll figure out what to with the fifth,” head coach Ime Udoka said earlier in the week. At Saturday’s training camp practice, Udoka confirmed that Smith […]

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ESPN sees growing bond between Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant

Ben DuBose — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 00:00:49 +0000

It’s been well established in the past that Jabari Smith Jr. looks up to Kevin Durant, now his teammate with the Houston Rockets. The two have worked out together in previous offseasons, and both have similar body types as lanky, 6-foot-10 or 6-foot-11 forwards with perimeter shooting ability and considerable defensive versatility. Granted, Smith’s production […]

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Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) likely to miss regular-season games for Rockets

Ben DuBose — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 02:37:47 +0000

Veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who signed with Houston as a free agent in July, is very bullish on his fit with the Rockets. “I love playing with a bunch of people who take pride in guarding guys, and whenever you play Houston, you know it’s going to be a tough game,” Finney-Smith said at Monday’s […]

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As training camp opens, Rockets see growth from Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson

Ben DuBose — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:31:19 +0000

HOUSTON — With Fred VanVleet sidelined for most or all of the 2025-26 season due to an ACL tear in his right knee, the Rockets know they will need to entrust Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard with more on-ball responsibilities. So far, so good. After Tuesday’s opening practice of training camp, Jabari Smith Jr. described […]

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Patrick Fertitta: Even after Kevin Durant trade, Rockets still focused on building long-term contender

Ben DuBose — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:43:11 +0000

The Houston Rockets recently traded for a 37-year-old superstar in Kevin Durant, but that doesn’t mean the team’s focus has shifted strictly to a short-term view. Patrick Fertitta, son of Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta and an increasingly important figure in Houston’s front office, spoke Monday with Matt Thomas of SportsTalk 790 and explained that the […]

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