What’s different about playoff basketball compared to the regular season? Rockets coach Ime Udoka said it’s a whole ‘nother ballgame. Everything matters and everything gets more intense.
That’s true for expectations too. It looked like Houston might not have much after an up-and-down middle of the season. But the Rockets tried to get into playoff mode over their last 10 to 15 games, Udoka said, and they’ve found a groove. Houston won nine of its last ten to finish the season 52-30.
Add in the fact that the Rockets are taking on a hobbled Los Angeles Lakers team in the first round? There’s real hope Houston will advance to the second round for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
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With those rekindled expectations, which Rockets have the most at stake in these playoffs?
Let’s start with the team’s best player.
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts after hitting a three pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Toyota Center in Houston on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Houston Rockets won the game 113-102.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
Kevin Durant
Durant is the most accomplished Rocket, winning two NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors. Ironically, he beat Houston on the way through the Western Conference both times. But how stacked those Golden State teams were, especially the presence of Steph Curry, complicates the credit the forward got for championships.
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Durant hasn’t made it out of the second round since he left Golden State. Part of that is health, which he had this season.
Durant played 78 games this season, the most since that 2018-19 season in The Bay. The 37-year-old continued to excel as a scorer, averaging 26 points per game on elite efficiency.
His game should age well but it is unclear if Houston can expect his level of health from Durant moving forward.
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The Rockets, who lost starting point guard Fred VanVleet and key center Steven Adams to injury, have slim odds to win the title this season. The Thunder, Spurs and Nuggets all have better chances to emerge from the West.
But Houston’s recent play opens the door. The Rockets had the league’s second-best offense over their last 10 games and finished the season as one of just six teams who had top 10 offensive and defensive ratings.
A strong showing in the postseason for Durant and a deep run for Houston could lead to a long-awaited title — or set next year’s Rockets, with VanVleet and Adams back, up to do so.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) tries to hold onto a loose ball against the Golden State Warriors at the Toyota Center in Houston on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
Alperen Şengün
Let’s move to Şengün, Houston’s centerpiece before the trade for Durant.
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The Turkish star entered his fifth season with high expectations, with some expecting All-NBA honors. The reality was more uneven. As discussed in the last deep-dive, Sengun struggled to score efficiently and as a defender.
The good news? Since he sat with a lower back injury for two mid-March games, Sengun said he feels better and it’s showing up in his play. He’s averaging more points and assists per game, shooting the ball more efficiently and turning the ball over less.
If he’s his best self, Houston has a potentially dominant interior offensive force that can generate high-quality looks for himself and teammates. A strong postseason could wash away any and all concerns about the big man’s play.
But a poor showing would let them linger throughout the offseason, this time with the volume turned up.
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) reacts to hitting a three-point-shot in the first half of game action against the Philadelphia 76ers in Houston on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle
Tari Eason
This season became pivotal for Eason before it even started. He and Houston didn’t agree to a contract extension, meaning the 24-year-old will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
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For a solid chunk of the year, it looked like Eason’s bet on himself yielded him a massive bag.
In addition to his tenacious defense and rebounding, the wing shot 46% from three on nearly 5 attempts per game through the All-Star break. It seemed like he’d grown into the prototypical 3-and-D wing, a player every team could use.
But in the 29 games following the All-Star Break, Eason shot just 21.8% from three and at times seemed hesitant to shoot 3s. While shooting is just one part of the forward’s on-court value because his rebounding and defense remain impactful, it’s a swing skill for how much a team can play him to avoid clogging up offense.
The playoffs will test Eason’s shooting. Teams are ruthless about funneling open shots to unproven or inconsistent shooters. If the forward can make them pay, he could propel Houston into a deep run — and himself into a new tax bracket.