Western Conference NBA Teams Remain Predicted to Maintain High Rankings by ESPN Experts
Houston Rockets Set Sights on Championship Contention in 2025-26
After a successful 2024-25 season, the Houston Rockets are gearing up for an even more promising campaign in the upcoming 2025-26 season. General Manager Rafael Stone orchestrated several big moves during the offseason, aiming to turn the team into a legitimate championship contender.
The Houston Rockets made significant strides in the previous season, finishing with a 52-30 record and securing the Western Conference's second seed. This improvement was marked by the surprise performance of the team, which earned optimism from NBA insiders. Tim MacMahon, an ESPN analyst, highlights this optimism, attributing it to the Rockets' performance in the 2024-25 season.
One of the key acquisitions made by Stone was the addition of future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant. Durant, who carried much of the scoring load for the team in the playoffs, provides the Rockets with a reliable closer for the 2025-26 season. Alongside Durant, the Rockets also acquired Dorian Finney-Smith, adding more veterans to the roster.
The addition of Durant addressed the team's glaring hole, providing them with a potent scoring punch. Center Alperen Sengun, who earned his first All-Star selection in the 2024-25 season, will continue to anchor the team's defence. Head coach Ime Udoka led one of the league's best defences in the previous season, and this defensive strength will remain a cornerstone of the Rockets' game plan.
Despite the optimism, the Rockets face stiff competition in the Western Conference. The Oklahoma City Thunder are projected to have a better record (64-18) than the Rockets in the 2025-26 season. However, the Rockets are projected to finish the season with a record of 54-28, according to ESPN's panel of NBA insiders. They are also predicted to be one game ahead of the Denver Nuggets (53-29) in the Western Conference standings.
With a balance of young talent, defensive strength, and newfound scoring punch, the Houston Rockets enter the 2025-26 season as a legitimate championship contender. The offseason moves made by Stone have set the team up for success, and the Rockets will look to build on their previous season's performance to make a deep playoff run.
