The Houston Rockets have achieved a three-game winning streak after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, with a record of 25 wins and 12 losses, securing the second place in the Western Conference. This is a remarkable improvement from last year's performance. While many are discussing the championship potential of the Oklahoma City Thunder this year, the Rockets have quietly caught up and are ready to compete fiercely with them.
The Rockets' success this season can be attributed to several factors. Some credit goes to Green for his significant progress, particularly in terms of consistency. Others point to Sengun, who has matured and delivered many high-level performances. However, the author believes that the primary contributor to the Rockets' transformation is Udoka. Last year, Sengun averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5 assists, nearly making it to the All-Star game. Meanwhile, Jalen Green averaged 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, which is also impressive. Yet, the Rockets' record last year paled in comparison to this season.
The main reason for this turnaround is Udoka, who has learned how to effectively pair and utilize the Rockets' dynamic duo of Sengun and Jalen Green. Last season, when one played well, the other would underperform, leading some to believe they could not coexist and should not be re-signed simultaneously. However, in the summer of 2024, the Rockets cleverly resolved their contract issues, retaining both young talents. They signed Sengun to a five-year, 185millioncontractandJalenGreentoathree−year,106 million deal. These contracts have a two-year time difference, providing Sengun with a long-term commitment without a max salary, while giving Jalen Green ample time to prove himself during his upward trajectory, potentially signing a new big contract in three or even two years.
This move by the Rockets was very astute, but it is only part of the strategy. The real challenge lies in how to maximize the potential of Sengun and Jalen Green together. Udoka, who previously led the Boston Celtics to the Finals in 2022 with a relatively inexperienced team, has now found the key to the Rockets' success. In the recent games since 2025, Jalen Green has averaged 27.6 points, ranking him among the top scorers in the league.
The Rockets' strategy has proven successful, as evidenced by their recent victory over the Grizzlies, where Sengun scored 32 points and 14 rebounds, and Jalen Green added 27 points. This dual-core combination has been explosive and consistent over several games. With this momentum, the Rockets have the potential to compete with other strong teams in the West during the playoffs.
