Houston Rockets' 2025-26 End-of-Season Awards Chances

The Rockets have a few players in the running, but their overall disappointing season may limit their award recognition.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:14pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, breaking down a basketball game or match into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of color and abstract shapes, capturing the energy and dynamics of the sport without any identifiable players or court features.The Rockets' disappointing season is reflected in the fragmented, cubist depiction of their players and the court, a visual metaphor for their struggle to earn individual accolades.Houston Today

The 2025-26 NBA regular season is almost over, and the Houston Rockets have a few players in contention for end-of-season awards. All-Star Alperen Sengun is up for All-NBA, while Amen Thompson is a candidate for All-Defensive Team. However, the Rockets' underwhelming 51-30 record and fifth-seed playoff position may hurt their chances, especially with the emergence of other top defensive players. Newcomer Kevin Durant is likely to make an All-NBA team, but the Rockets may only get one player honored. Rookie Reed Sheppard is a long shot for Sixth Man of the Year.

Why it matters

The Rockets' performance in the end-of-season awards is a reflection of their overall season and the individual development of their key players. While making the playoffs is the primary goal, recognition through these prestigious awards can boost the team's profile and the players' careers. The Rockets' chances of multiple award winners indicate how their season has gone and where they stand compared to the NBA's elite teams.

The details

Alperen Sengun has improved his stats from last season, but his All-NBA chances are likely worse due to the addition of Kevin Durant, who is a lock for an All-NBA team. Amen Thompson's All-Defensive Team chances have also taken a hit, as his defensive stats have dipped slightly and other players have emerged. Rookie Reed Sheppard is a long shot for Sixth Man of the Year, trailing Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Keldon Johnson, who have better stats and more games off the bench.

  • The 2025-26 regular season is almost at an end.
  • End-of-season awards are typically announced during the playoffs.

The players

Alperen Sengun

The Rockets' lone All-Star, Sengun has improved his stats this season but may struggle to make an All-NBA team due to the Rockets' underwhelming record and the emergence of other star players.

Amen Thompson

Thompson won First Team All-Defense last season, but his chances have taken a hit this year due to a slight dip in defensive stats and the strong performances of other top defensive players.

Kevin Durant

The Rockets' offseason acquisition is a lock for an All-NBA team after a strong season, but the team's overall performance may limit them to just one player being honored.

Reed Sheppard

The Rockets' rookie is a long shot for Sixth Man of the Year, trailing Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Keldon Johnson, who have better stats and more games off the bench.

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What they’re saying

“Sengun's numbers have mostly improved this season compared with last. He's gone from 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists on 49.6% shooting to 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists on 51.9% shooting. Even so, his All-NBA chances are probably worse.”

— Jimmy Vik, Author

“Thompson finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting last year. That doesn't look set to improve this time around. Admittedly, the awards odds are something of a joke at this point, given that Wembanyama was guaranteed to win the second he logged his 20th minute in his 65th game.”

— Jimmy Vik, Author

What’s next

The Rockets will have to wait until the playoffs to find out if any of their players are honored with end-of-season awards. In the meantime, they will need to focus on preparing for their first-round playoff matchup, whether it's against the Lakers or the Nuggets.

The takeaway

The Rockets' disappointing regular season has likely limited their chances of having multiple players recognized with end-of-season awards, despite the individual improvements of Sengun and Thompson. While Durant is expected to make an All-NBA team, the team's overall performance and the emergence of other top players around the league have made it difficult for the Rockets to earn more individual accolades.