Rockets Bench Plays Key Role as Regular Season Winds Down

Ime Udoka looks to bench players to provide energy and production heading into playoffs

Mar. 29, 2026 at 11:03am

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With the NBA playoffs approaching, the Houston Rockets are looking to their bench players to provide a spark and maintain energy levels as the regular season winds down. Head coach Ime Udoka has been experimenting with different rotations, giving more minutes to reserves like Jae'Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday, Josh Okogie, and Dorian Finney-Smith to keep the starters fresh for the postseason.

Why it matters

The Rockets are currently sixth in the Western Conference standings and fighting for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Developing a reliable bench unit will be crucial, as the starters have logged heavy minutes this season and fatigue could become a factor in the playoffs when the intensity and physicality increases.

The details

The Rockets have 9 games left in the regular season, 5 of which are against teams with losing records. They've gone 11-9 since the All-Star break, not the ideal stretch they were hoping for. Ime Udoka has been experimenting with the rotation, giving more minutes to reserves like Jae'Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday, Josh Okogie, and Dorian Finney-Smith. Holiday provided a spark with 8 points against the Heat, including a couple 3-pointers. Okogie has been reliable when he plays and could be a key playoff contributor, while Finney-Smith has struggled but delivered some good possessions. Udoka says he'll continue to evaluate the bench based on matchups and game situations.

  • The Rockets have 9 games left in the regular season as of March 28.
  • The NBA playoffs are around the corner, with the season approaching April.

The players

Ime Udoka

Head coach of the Houston Rockets.

Amen Thompson

Rockets player who has logged the most minutes this season with 2,649.

Kevin Durant

37-year-old Rockets player who is second in the NBA in minutes played this season with 2,557.

Jabari Smith Jr.

Rockets player who is seventh in the NBA in minutes played this season with 2,432.

Alperen Sengun

Rockets player who has dealt with a couple of injuries this season.

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What they’re saying

“I've honestly been looking at everybody. Some games they've all played, some games Clint (Capela) hans't played so we've gone smaller with Jae'Sean as the small ball five. Aaron (Holiday) played really well in the Miami game. We can play more zone with him.”

— Ime Udoka, Head Coach

“Always ready, like their energy overall, but still Josh (Okogie) and Dorian (Finney-Smith) will get their chances.”

— Ime Udoka, Head Coach

What’s next

The Rockets will need to continue evaluating their bench options and finding the right rotations to keep their starters fresh heading into the playoffs. Developing a reliable second unit will be crucial for their postseason success.

The takeaway

As the Rockets fight for playoff positioning in the final stretch of the regular season, the performance and development of their bench unit will be a key factor. Ime Udoka's ability to manage minutes and find the right combinations off the bench could be the difference in the Rockets securing home-court advantage or making a deep playoff run.