SportSpyder - The Latest Houston Rockets News

16 April 2026

• [Locked On Rockets] - The Rockets young stars are poised for a breakout playoff series in round one vs LA.
  Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by📺 Subscribe On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LockedOnRockets📲 Twitter: https://twitter.com/JTGatlin & http...
• [Deadspin] - Lebron James Needs One More Miracle To Carry Lakers Without Doncic, Reaves | Deadspin.com
  With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out, the Lakers will rely heavily on LeBron James in a tough first-round matchup vs the Rockets.
• [Fan Nation] - Lakers to Monitor LeBron James' Workload During Rockets Opening Round Postseason Series
  There's an old saying that Father Time is undefeated. We hear the adage especially in the sports world, when a player is aging. Or when their remaining time in
• [Fadeaway World] - Lakers vs. Rockets First-Round Preview: Full Analysis, Key Factors, And Series Prediction - Fadeaway World
  The Los Angeles Lakers face the Houston Rockets as the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds in the West, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves expected out.
• [The Score] - Playoff pressure index: 10 NBA figures with most to prove
  The playoffs are filled with pressure-packed moments. It's where legacies are solidified, reputations are tarnished, and jobs are on the line. Here are the 10 people across the NBA under the most pressure entering the postseason, ranked in ascending order.window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});The pressure isn't on Gordon; it's on his hamstrings. Although he isn't Denver's best player, his health may decide the team's fate. The 30-year-old missed over half the season with a lingering hamstring injury, the same issue that limited him in Game 7 of the Nuggets' second-round loss to the Thunder last year. Denver scores 10 more points per 100 possessions when Gordon is on the floor, and its 21st-ranked defense jumps to fifth.window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});A player making a top-40 salary is expected to perform like one in the playoffs. Fox is averaging the fewest points and minutes of his career, though that's more about his role than a sign of regression. He's taken a back seat to the Spurs' young talent, but San Antonio will rely on the former Clutch Player of the Year for late-game offensive creation. Fox is the only one of the Spurs' top seven scorers with playoff experience.window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});The only substantial change from last year's Knicks team is on the sideline, where Brown replaced Tom Thibodeau, who led New York to its first conference finals since 2000. One of the criticisms surrounding Thibs was his reluctance to adjust the starting lineup, even as it posted a minus-6.2 net rating in the playoffs. Brown has also refused to tinker with the lineup despite its regular-season net rating being worse than last year's.New York possesses the talent and tools to win the East, which is why it brought in a new voice. Thibodeau's group defeated the Celtics in the second round last season; Brown will be expected to do the same. Brown's seat won't be warm after his first campaign, but the spotlight will shift in his direction if the Knicks fall short of the conference finals.window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});Durant has won just two playoff series since leaving Golden State in 2019. While he's dealt with difficult team circumstances in Brooklyn and Phoenix, he's often created the drama and disconnect that tends to follow him. Houston's top scorer may not be the reason for a playoff exit, especially with the team not having a true point guard, but he was brought in to fix the Rockets' clutch offense. Instead, it has slipped from 18th to 20th. Each early exit is another missed opportunity to strengthen his legacy.window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});Considering the Cavaliers have the NBA's largest payroll, a fourth straight season for this group without a conference finals appearance won't cut it. Altman, the team's president of basketball operations, likely wouldn't be ousted, but he would face pressure to institute major changes.Donovan Mitchell isn't primarily to blame for Cleveland's playoff shortcomings. After this year's midseason backcourt shake-up, a frontcourt trade involving Jarrett Allen or Evan Mobley (likely the former) could be next, particularly if the Cavs are once again physically outmatched, as they have been in previous postseasons.window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});Cunningham has reached a new tier after leading the Pistons to 60 wins and the East's top seed. Now, he faces enormous responsibility. Cunningham's playoff debut against the Knicks last year was uneven. A...
• [Fadeaway World] - Lakers Are Not Expecting Luka Doncic And Austin Reaves To Return For First Round Playoff Series Against
  The Los Angeles Lakers might be without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for their entire first round series against the Houston Rockets.
• [Houston Rockets Videos] - All-Access KD Passes MJ, Rockets Push to Playoffs | In Flight Ep. 6: Rare Air
  Welcome to In Flight, a season-long all-access docuseries taking you behind the scenes with the Houston Rockets. 🚀In episode 6, Kevin Durant passes Michael...
• [Fan Nation] - Ahead of Rockets-Lakers Series, Lakers' JJ Redick Gives Update on Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves
  The 2025-26 NBA regular season has come to a close. Now the games really matter. At least that's what we've grown accustomed to hearing from many of the top bas
• [Sporting News] - LeBron James enters Potential final playoff run at 41 as shorthanded Lakers face uphill battle vs. Rockets
  At 41 years old, LeBron James enters the 2026 NBA Playoffs in a position that feels both historic and uncertain. Yet this postseason carries a different weight. Yes—but it’s slim.
• [USA Today: Rockets Wire] - ‘Multiple guys’: Houston wants to diversify its defense on LeBron James
  Without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers need more offense from LeBron James. Defensively, the Rockets have quite a few options to counter.