Rockets Riding All-Star Duo to Playoff Position at Midseason

Injuries and point guard struggles have tested Houston, but GM confident best is yet to come

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Houston Rockets find themselves firmly in the Western Conference playoff race at the NBA's midseason mark, led by All-Star performances from Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün. However, injuries to key players like Fred VanVleet have created inconsistency at point guard and added pressure on Durant late in games. Despite trade rumors, GM Rafael Stone kept the roster intact, believing the team's best basketball is still ahead.

Why it matters

The Rockets' strong start has them in position to make the playoffs, but injuries and point guard struggles have created challenges. How they navigate the second half of the season could determine if they can maintain their spot or even climb higher in the competitive Western Conference.

The details

Kevin Durant is averaging 25 points and 5 rebounds, while Alperen Şengün is putting up 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists per game. Their production has been crucial for the Rockets' success so far. However, injuries to players like VanVleet, Dorian Finney-Smith, Steven Adams and Tari Eason have limited the team's offense at times. The Rockets also rank 18th in clutch games this year, with Durant often having to shoulder a heavy load late in close contests.

  • The Rockets enter the All-Star break with a 33-20 record, fourth in the Western Conference.
  • Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL in September, creating point guard inconsistency for the Rockets.
  • Steven Adams is expected to miss the entire regular season due to injury.

The players

Kevin Durant

A 13-time NBA All-Star, Durant is averaging 25 points and 5 rebounds per game for the Rockets this season.

Alperen Şengün

The second-year center is making his first All-Star appearance, averaging 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists per game.

Rafael Stone

The Rockets' general manager who declined to make any trades at the deadline, believing the team's best basketball is still ahead.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're in a very competitive place in a very competitive conference. And I don't feel as though this group has played its best basketball.”

— Rafael Stone, General Manager (fox26houston.com)

What’s next

The Rockets will look to build on their strong first half and continue climbing the Western Conference standings in the second half of the season.

The takeaway

Despite injuries and point guard struggles, the Rockets have positioned themselves well for a playoff run. Their All-Star duo of Durant and Şengün has carried them, and the team's strong defense has been a consistent bright spot. If they can find more consistency at point guard, the Rockets could make a push for an even higher seed in the West.