The Houston Rockets had an incredible regular season in 2024-25. They finished with the fourth-best overall record (52-30) to earn the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference after missing the postseason entirely in 2023-24. It was an impressive achievement for a young roster led by a core of Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr.—all of whom are 23 or younger.
This new era of Rockets basketball is jam-packed with athletic, long, and physical players who can get after it on both ends of the court, highlighted by youngsters like Thompson, Smith Jr. and Tari Eason. Coach Ime Udoka has instilled a defensive-first identity over the past two seasons, resulting in Houston’s fifth-ranked defensive rating (110.3) this year—an improvement from their 10th-ranked defense (112.8) the year prior.
Houston was dominant on the glass during the regular season, a strength they’ve carried into their First Round series with the Golden State Warriors. They led the league in total rebounds (48.5) and offensive rebounds (14.6) per game and posted an NBA-best 53.3 total rebounding percentage and 36.3 offensive rebounding percentage. The Rockets turned those extra opportunities into 18.1 second-chance points per game, the highest mark in the league by a considerable margin (1.5 points).
In their Game 1 loss on Sunday night, Houston more than tripled Golden State’s offensive boards, owning a massive 22-6 advantage in that category. However, that dominance on the glass translated to just 22 second-chance points, only ten more than the Warriors’ 12, which came on 16 fewer second-chance opportunities. Both teams secured 30 defensive rebounds, but the Rockets finished with a 52-36 edge overall. They’ll look to be more efficient in capitalizing on the offensive glass.
The Rockets also excelled in transition during the regular season, another strength of their young and explosively athletic roster. They ranked seventh in fast break scoring with 17.0 points per game and finished fifth in limiting opponents’ fast break points (13.8). They were also one of the best in the league at preventing points off turnovers (15.8—fourth in NBA).
But this is not the regular season—it’s the Playoffs. The game slows down and becomes more centered around half-court offense, where every possession matters and mistakes are magnified.
Houston’s transition game was limited. They managed just four fast break points, well below their season average of 17, while allowing 16 to the veteran Warriors—who ranked 20th in the league at 14.5 per game. The Rockets also committed 17 turnovers in Game 1, which led to 25 Golden State points.
These are all areas where the Rockets can make adjustments heading into Game 2 tonight in Houston. Udoka and his coaching staff have surely addressed these issues and emphasized a return to the style of play that helped get them to the postseason. If they’re able to get out in transition and generate easy looks for Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Fred VanVleet, it could go a long way in boosting their confidence after a tough outing in the series opener.
VanVleet, Green and Thompson combined to shoot just 11-for-43 (25.5%) from the field on Sunday. VanVleet has had a tough time in four matchups against the Warriors this season, averaging 8.8 points and 5.0 assists on 22.4% shooting and 21.9% from deep. Golden State gave him trouble again Sunday, as he posted 10 points (4-19 FG, 2-13 3PT) and 7 assists in 40 minutes. Green, Houston’s leading scorer in the regular season at 21.0 PPG, has also seen his production dip against the Warriors. In five games, he’s averaged 12.6 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals on 31.5% from the field and 25.0% from three. In his playoff debut, he recorded seven points and eight rebounds on 3-for-15 shooting (0-4 3PT) in 31 minutes.
Thompson had a solid showing overall (8 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists) but attempted just nine shots, while Jabari Smith Jr. was perfect in 25 minutes off the bench (11 points on 3-3 FG, 1-1 3PT, 4-4 FT). If Houston wants to even the series at 1-1 before heading to Golden State, they’ll need to find more ways to get Thompson, Green, and Smith Jr. quality looks.
