Houston, We Have a Problem: Injuries Derail Rockets Takeoff Plans
The Houston Rockets entered the 2025–26 NBA season with sky-high expectations. The franchise landed Kevin Durant over the summer, instantly raising their ceiling while Durant himself signaled a willingness to consider a long-term extension. Optimism swept across the city, with many envisioning Houston as a true contender in the Western Conference. Yet before Opening Night even tips off, the Rockets are already fighting uphill battles, and injuries are threatening to ground their launch before it even begins.
The first devastating blow came when Fred VanVleet went down with a torn ACL, ending his season before it started. Houston counted on VanVleet not only for his championship pedigree but also for his leadership as a steadying presence in the backcourt. Without him, the Rockets lose a reliable floor general who could orchestrate the offense around Durant. The front office had doubled down on their commitment to win-now basketball, but losing VanVleet leaves the guard rotation thinner than ever.
Compounding the situation is the absence of Dorian Finney-Smith, who was acquired to provide three-and-D versatility alongside Durant. His ankle surgery will keep him sidelined for the early part of the season, removing a critical piece from the Rockets’ defensive schemes. When Houston brought in veteran Steven Adams to anchor the paint, they envisioned a strong, durable front line, but lingering questions about Adams’ health make that bet look shakier with each passing day. Tari Eason is also still working his way back from injury, leaving Ime Udoka’s rotation dangerously thin for a team built to chase wins immediately.
The pressure is immense for Udoka, who recently signed an extension that signaled organizational stability. Instead, he begins the season having to manage lineups stripped of vital contributors. This reality forces the Rockets to test the depth of their roster earlier than anticipated, with role players suddenly facing outsized responsibilities. For Durant, who chose Houston as the site of his next chapter, these injuries raise urgent questions about whether his new team can realistically contend this year or simply aim to stay afloat until reinforcements arrive.
Houston’s front office made waves by declaring the beginning of the Kevin Durant era, but basketball has a way of humbling even the boldest visions. The Rockets are caught between an inspiring long-term picture and a shaky short-term reality. How they respond to this storm, whether through creative rotations, midseason adjustments, or even trade market maneuvers, could define not only their season but the trajectory of their new superstar’s commitment. For now, Houston still has lift-off potential, but turbulence has arrived far sooner than anyone expected.
