SportSpyder - The Latest Houston Rockets News

31 October 2025

• [Hoops Wire] - Rockets Notes: Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, defense
  The Rockets waited until the last minute but made it official. Both Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard are locked in for 2026-27. Houston picked up Thompson’s fourth-year option and Sheppard’s third-year option, as relayed by Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. The move was a formality more than a surprise. Thompson, the No. 4 pick […] The post appeared first on .
• [Fan Nation] - Rockets' 'Baby Steps' Considered Reasons for Long-Term Optimism
  The 2025-26 NBA season has been a bit of a bumpy ride for the Houston Rockets thus far. On the one hand, the team boasts the NBA's best offense. On the other ha
• [Fan Nation] - Rockets Fastbreak Points Increasing Over Last Three Games
  The Houston Rockets knew, when they made the blockbuster trade to bring in Kevin Durant, that they would have to send out a valuable piece or two of their team.
• [ClutchPoints] - Rockets’ Kevin Durant regrets making ‘Thunderstruck’ movie
  Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant reflected on his acting past and future aspirations during a candid appearance on Not This Again with Bobbi Althoff, admitting he regrets starring in the 2012 film Thunderstruck while also sharing his thoughts on broadcasting, podcasting, and even space travel. “I did like this cheese movie when I was like […] The post appeared first on .
• [ClutchPoints] - Why Rockets’ Kevin Durant won’t become a broadcaster or podcaster after retiring
  As the Houston Rockets continue their 2025-26 campaign, star forward Kevin Durant made it clear he has little interest in joining the growing wave of former NBA players entering broadcasting or podcasting after their playing careers end. In a recent interview with Bobbi Althoff on her podcast, Durant discussed what life after basketball might look […] The post appeared first on .
• [ClutchPoints] - Rockets’ Kevin Durant dishes on space travel and Elon Musk in bizarre exchange
  Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant added another memorable moment to his list of viral interviews this week when he discussed space travel, Elon Musk, and life after basketball during an appearance on Not This Again with Bobbi Althoff. As the Rockets continue their 2025-26 season, Durant’s offbeat comments caught attention online for their mix of […] The post appeared first on .
• [USA Today: Rockets Wire] - Rockets pick up 2026-27 contract options on Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard
  At Friday's rookie-scale team option deadline, the Rockets officially picked up the 2026-27 contract options for Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard.
• [Fansided: Space City Scoop] - Kevin Durant building toward a unique case for legacy-altering accolade
  In bringing in Kevin Durant through a trade this offseason with the Phoenix Suns, the Houston Rockets knew that they were bringing in a generational scorer who
• [Hoops Rumors] - Rockets Pick Up 2026/27 Options On Thompson, Sheppard
  The Rockets have exercised their team options for the 2026/27 season on guards Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard, reports Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required). While Houston waited until deadline day to pick up those options, there was never a doubt that they’d be exercised. Both players project to be major parts of […]
• [Last Word on Sports] - Did Rockets’ Hokey-Okogie Adjustment Turn Things Around?
  They put one wing in, one big out, should the league be shaking all about? The Houston Rockets have started veteran forward in their last two games, both wins. Is the departure from head coach Ime Udoka’s preferred double big lineup a long-term solution? Or has the O(k)ogie-Boogie man been unleashed just for the Halloween season? Did Rockets' Hokey-Okogie Adjustment Turn Things Around? Okogie as a Starter Okogie's first start with Houston came . He played 30 minutes, scored 10 points, played physical defense, made two three-pointers, and was a +11. Udoka stuck with him , and he put on a similar performance: 23 minutes, 10 points, 2 threes, +6. His ability to actually connect on the wide-open threes the offense generates for him has been a major boon. The clues were there even in preseason. Apparently, Okogie’s 28 points on 8-15 shooting should have been the bigger takeaway than ’s 29 points after all. Most importantly, Okogie shot 2-5 from three in that game. In the regular season, since joining the starting lineup, Okogie is actually 4-5 from deep. Even while , the Rockets have an in the partnership between and . The point isn't even really to give those two more spacing. They don't need it, and even with far better shooters around them than Okogie, they probably wouldn't get it. Sengun and Durant are simply too lethal to guard one-on-one. Defenses will elect to crowd them. The Rockets just need players who will take the open threes and occasionally make them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7hYjNd091I Any players looking to benefit from wide-open corner looks also need to hold up on defense, though. The theoretically ideal player for that, , . Still, despite his 7 fouls over two starts, Okogie fits the bill as well. He's an Udoka player through and through. The Change From Double Bigs The double big lineup hasn’t been retired entirely by any means. Centers Sengun and have still played 20 total minutes together over the . They’re a plus 28 in that time as well, so it’s not as if the lineup caused the Rockets any issues. But then, that's expected. The duo were even positive in 24.9 minutes together over the Rockets' two opening losses at +4.5. Both games were extremely close and, despite some definite clunkiness, gave . As for Okogie's two starts, the Rockets had no real business losing against the Nets or Raptors anyway. It’s also unrealistic to expect Okogie’s hot shooting to hold up all season long. , he's a 33.8% three-point shooter on 2.2 mostly wide-open attempts per game. Nonetheless, Okogie looked like a sub-rotation defensive depth option when the Rockets signed him. Even stepping up as a sporadic 3-and-D option here and there is an upgrade on expectations. If he can somehow maintain his hot shooting (obviously not at 60%), for the season, he could be a rotation or even starting lineup mainstay. Realistically, his deployment will probably come down to Udoka's defensive preferences for the matchup. Okogie basically gives the Rockets a second to chase people around on the perimeter all game. Rockets fans probably remember what he once did out there to former Rocket . https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SjbEhMKhMDo The Last Word The Rockets' next game will be against the gap year Boston Celtics on . It should be another good matchup for Okogie to try his hand at containing Boston's trigger-happy backcourt. Alternatively, with still to make, the Rockets could move on to trialling something else entirely. After all, at this point of the season, hokey cokey experimentation is what it's all about. © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The post appeared first on .