Rockets Claim Fifth Seed In West

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: Head Coach Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets reacts against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on May 02, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Getty Images When the Rockets acquired superstar forward Kevin Durant last summer, they certainly hoped they would finish higher than fifth in the conference standings; after all, they were the second seed just a season ago.

But with their season derailed by injuries to starting point guard Fred VanVleet and backup center Steven Adams, expectations became lowered. Earlier last week, Houston clinched the fifth seed in the Western Conference. They await results to determine if they will start the postseason facing the Los Angeles Lakers or the Denver Nuggets.

The Rockets went 3-1 last week, having an eight-game winning streak snapped. On Sunday, they beat the Golden State Warriors, 117-116, spoiling Steph Curry’s return from injury. Durant led Houston with 31 points while Curry scored 29 points in just 26 minutes.

Then on Tuesday, they visited Phoenix, beating the Suns, 119-105, in a game that was chippy from the opening tip. The Rockets were facing guard Jalen Green, who they traded last summer for Durant, for the very first time since the trade. Green had missed the previous matchups due to injury.