Inside The Rockets

Rockets Moving Up in Power Rankings

The Houston Rockets are impressing, resulting in a move up in Bleacher Report's latest power rankings.
Jeremy Brener|
Feb 26, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) drives with the ball as San Antonio Spurs center Bismack Biyombo (18) defends during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Feb 26, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) drives with the ball as San Antonio Spurs center Bismack Biyombo (18) defends during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have won their last two games, which has helped them keep pace in a very tight Western Conference.

That's why Bleacher Report writer Andy Bailey moved them up two spots from No. 9 to 7 in his latest power rankings.

"The upstart Houston Rockets went 2-7 in their last nine games leading up to the All-Star break, but starting point guard Fred VanVleet missed seven of those games," Bailey writes.

"When VanVleet is on the floor, Houston has a point differential around that of a 58-win team, and it's plus-5.0 points per 100 possessions when he's on the floor with the Rockets' latest breakout star: Amen Thompson.

"Since he became a full-time starter just before Christmas, Thompson is averaging 16.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.7 blocks, while providing some of the best and most versatile defense in the league.

"With his Swiss Army knife-like game, offense from VanVleet, Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün and the intensity of Dillon Brooks, Houston should get back to consistent winning after the break. In fact, it already has. The Rockets are 3-1 in their last four, with wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks in that stretch."

The only teams to rank ahead of the Rockets were the Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Rockets are back in action tonight as they take on the Sacramento Kings. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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