Author: Ben DuBose

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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