Rockets’ Young Stars Learn Key Lessons Heading Into Playoffs

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets demonstrated resilience and teamwork during a critical matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on March 25, 2025, showcasing their potential as they prepare for the postseason.

In this game, the Rockets overcame a challenging start, ultimately achieving a 121-114 victory. Despite initial struggles with rim protection and offensive rebounds, Houston utilized the dynamic pairing of starting center Alperen Şengün and veteran reserve Steven Adams to gain the upper hand. Their synergy on both ends of the floor proved effective, turning a tied game into a decisive lead.

“It’s been big,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said postgame. “The numbers show it, you can see it. They do things really good on both ends.” Houston surged ahead from 16-16 to 40-26 shortly after the pair was deployed, underlining their impact.

The frontcourt duo of Şengün and Adams was initially met with skepticism due to their shared lack of perimeter shooting. However, their effectiveness is clear. The two have played 210 possessions together, achieving an offensive rating of 127.1 and a defensive rating of 91.5. Remarkably, this yields a net rating in the 100th percentile for two-man pairings in the league.

“It’s been real big for us,” forward Jabari Smith Jr. noted. “When we get a shot with that offense, it’s almost a 50 percent chance that we’re going to get a rebound.” The Rockets boast a league-high offensive-rebounding rate of 50 percent with this lineup on the floor.

While Houston’s 28.2 percent three-point shooting against the Hawks reflects some ongoing struggles, Udoka’s emphasis on a two-big strategy continues to yield positive results. His history with such lineups—seen in both Boston and San Antonio—has undoubtedly influenced this tactical choice.

On March 24, the Rockets faced another test against the Denver Nuggets, ultimately losing 116-111. The game highlighted the gap between Houston’s youthful squad and the seasoned experience of the Nuggets. Denver came into the game with urgency and solidified their standing as a formidable contender.

“I thought it was huge tonight,” Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan said, reflecting on Denver’s performance. “The Rockets are playing well… so we had to come out with a different mindset.”

This loss served as a wake-up call for the Rockets, who currently occupy the second seed in the Western Conference with a one-game lead over Denver. The team’s need to refine their execution was evident, especially against playoff-caliber opponents.

“We didn’t talk about it, but this is a missed opportunity for sure,” Udoka added after the game. “It felt like a very sloppy first half, and even late in the game.”

Jamal Murray’s 39-point performance exemplified the talent premium that veteran teams can access, exposing gaps in Houston’s defense. While the Rockets have made strides this season, their ability to counteract experienced teams remains crucial ahead of the playoffs.

Jordan emphasized the lessons the inexperienced Rockets must embrace: “You gotta go through different obstacles, go through heartbreak sometimes… I think Ime (Udoka) is doing a great job with all of those guys. They’re going to be really good for a long time.”