Rockets' Starting Lineup One of NBA's Worst Defensive Units

Houston's current starting five struggles on the defensive end, ranking among the league's bottom lineups.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 3:19pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, breaking a basketball game down into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of vibrant colors representing the Rockets and their opponents.The Rockets' starting lineup's defensive struggles are deconstructed into a Cubist painting, highlighting the team's need to address this issue as they fight for a playoff spot.Hart Today

The Houston Rockets' starting lineup has been a point of discussion all season, with head coach Ime Udoka frequently rotating between Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason for the final spot. While the current starting five has provided a boost to the team's offense, they have struggled mightily on the defensive end, ranking as one of the worst defensive lineups in the NBA.

Why it matters

The Rockets are already facing an uphill battle to make the playoffs this season, and their defensive struggles with the current starting lineup could be another challenge they need to address heading into the postseason and the offseason.

The details

Houston's starting five of Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun has a defensive rating that is 9.8 points worse than the team's season average across 343 possessions together, the second-worst in the NBA among lineups with at least 270 possessions played. The only team with a qualified lineup that has a worse rating is the Brooklyn Nets, whose main goal this season is to tank for a top draft pick.

  • The Rockets' starting lineup has been a point of discussion all season.

The players

Reed Sheppard

A Rockets player who has frequently rotated into the starting lineup with Tari Eason.

Tari Eason

A Rockets player who has frequently rotated into the starting lineup with Reed Sheppard.

Ime Udoka

The head coach of the Houston Rockets.

Kevin Durant

A star player in the Rockets' starting lineup.

Jabari Smith Jr.

A player in the Rockets' starting lineup.

Alperen Sengun

A player in the Rockets' starting lineup.

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What they’re saying

“Even before the season started, it was unclear who would take the injured Fred VanVleet's spot in the starting five, and head coach Ime Udoka has frequently rotated between Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason for the final spot as of late.”

— Henry Daley, Author

What’s next

The Rockets still have time to improve defensively with their current starting lineup, but it will be an uphill battle as they try to make a playoff run this season.

The takeaway

The Rockets' starting lineup struggles on the defensive end, ranking among the worst in the NBA, which could be another challenge the team needs to address as they fight for a playoff spot this season.