Rockets Climb to No. 3 in West Standings

Houston has gone 11-5 in their last 16 games, trailing only the Spurs in the West over that stretch.

Mar. 1, 2026 at 7:31pm

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The Houston Rockets have surged up the Western Conference standings, climbing to the No. 3 spot after going 11-5 in their last 16 games. This hot streak has propelled them past the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves, though they remain 4.5 games back of the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs.

Why it matters

A top-3 finish in the West would be crucial for the Rockets, as it would likely put them on the opposite side of the playoff bracket from the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets are looking to build momentum heading into the postseason.

The details

The Rockets' recent success comes after a disappointing 10-11 stretch from early December to mid-January. Over their last 16 games, they've gone 11-5 (.688), which is the second-best record in the West behind only the Spurs (11-3, .786). This has allowed the Rockets to leapfrog several West rivals and climb to the No. 3 spot, though they remain 4.5 games back of the Spurs for the No. 2 seed.

  • The Rockets' hot streak began on January 16.
  • The Rockets moved into the No. 3 spot in the West standings on February 20.

The players

Kevin Durant

A perennial NBA All-Star who leads the Rockets.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The defending NBA champions, who currently rank atop the Western Conference standings.

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What’s next

The Rockets will look to continue their momentum when they travel to face the New York Knicks on Saturday night in a nationally televised game on ABC.

The takeaway

The Rockets' recent surge has put them in prime position to secure a top-3 seed in the Western Conference, which could be crucial in avoiding the juggernaut Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs. Their ability to maintain this level of play down the stretch will be key to their postseason aspirations.