Ime Udoka Facing Criticism as Rockets Struggle

Rockets' regression from last season raises questions about head coach's ability to lead contender

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:24am

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A cubist, fragmented painting depicting a basketball game or match, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes representing the action on the court, conceptually illustrating the Houston Rockets' struggles this season.A fractured, geometric illustration captures the struggles of the Houston Rockets, as they fail to live up to their championship expectations under head coach Ime Udoka.New Orleans Today

The 2025-26 Houston Rockets have underwhelmed this season, regressing from their 52-win campaign the previous year despite the addition of superstar Kevin Durant. Losses to several sub-.500 teams and blowout defeats against Western Conference contenders have led to growing criticism of head coach Ime Udoka, with some analysts suggesting he is holding the talented Rockets roster back from true championship contention.

Why it matters

The Rockets were viewed as a top title contender entering this season after their surprise success last year, but their struggles have raised doubts about Udoka's ability to maximize the team's potential. As a young core with championship aspirations, the Rockets' performance this season could have major implications for the franchise's future direction.

The details

The Rockets have lost to several teams they were expected to beat, including the Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago Bulls. They've also been blown out by Western powers like the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs, and the Los Angeles Lakers have found success in sending double-teams at Durant. Most notably, the Rockets blew a 13-point lead in overtime against the Minnesota Timberwolves, leading to criticism of Udoka's in-game management and discipline.

  • The Rockets won 52 games and finished second in the West last season.
  • The Rockets added Kevin Durant in the offseason, raising expectations for this campaign.
  • The Rockets have struggled against both sub-.500 teams and Western Conference contenders throughout the 2025-26 season.

The players

Ime Udoka

The head coach of the Houston Rockets, who is facing growing criticism for the team's regression and inability to maximize its talented roster.

Kevin Durant

The superstar forward who was added to the Rockets' roster in the offseason, but has not been able to lift the team to the expected championship level.

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What they’re saying

“The Rockets are never going to win anything, as long as Ime Udoka is their head coach. Ime didn't use his timeouts to rip into his team or get them back on track. And this all happened with the Wolves only having one starter?”

— Kevin O'Connor, Analyst

“This all trickles down when you have a coach who lacks discipline, who's reckless, your team is going to play the same exact way. And it was a problem with Udoka's teams in Boston, too. The Rockets need a new head coach today, in order to have any chance of accomplishing anything with this young core.”

— Kevin O'Connor, Analyst

What’s next

The Rockets' struggles and Udoka's future as head coach will likely be a major storyline as the team looks to turn things around and salvage its championship aspirations.

The takeaway

Ime Udoka's ability to lead the Rockets to the next level has come into question, as the team's regression from last season's success has raised doubts about his in-game management and discipline. The Rockets' championship hopes may hinge on whether Udoka can make the necessary adjustments to get the most out of their talented roster.