The Rockets returned to the playoffs after five years and won 50 games, ranking second in the Western Conference

April 4th news , in the 2024-25 NBA regular season that ended today, the Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 143-105 at home, not only reaping a hearty victory, but also locking in a playoff spot in advance with five games left in the season. This also means that the Rockets have returned to the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season, finally realizing their dream after five years.

So far, the Rockets have a record of 50 wins and 27 losses this season, ranking second in the Western Conference, just behind the defending champion Nuggets. Considering that there is still a 5.5-win gap with the seventh-placed Timberwolves in the Western Conference, and there are limited games left in the regular season, the Rockets have ensured that they will have no worries in the rankings, at least locked in the top six and directly advance to the playoffs.

After the game, the Rockets released a celebratory poster to commemorate the strong return of this young team. It is worth mentioning that head coach Ime Udoka was placed in the center of the poster, highlighting his key role in leading the team's transformation this season. Jalen Green and Alperen Shin-kyung, two young talents, were also listed on the poster. Their explosion is undoubtedly an important reason for the Rockets' rapid progress.

Looking back at the beginning of this season, the Rockets were not considered a strong team in the Western Conference, and were not even widely considered to be competitive in the playoffs. However, as the season progressed, the tough defense system and high-speed transition offense created by Udoka allowed the Rockets to gradually emerge. Shin Jing played an All-Star level performance, averaging nearly a triple-double; Jalen Green continued to score steadily and repeatedly stepped up at critical moments. In addition, VanVleet's joining and the "iron-blooded attributes" of veteran Dillon Brooks have injected more experience and toughness into the team.

It is worth mentioning that last season, the Rockets were just one step away from the play-offs, and the lineup structure was still unstable. But just one year later, not only did they complete the reconstruction, but they also jumped to the forefront of the Western Conference, and can be called one of the biggest "dark horses" this season. Especially in many tough battles with traditional powerhouses such as the Suns, Warriors, and Lakers, the Rockets showed great resilience and maturity, which is inseparable from Udoka's training.

Next, the Rockets still have five regular season games to play. With the qualification for the playoffs already confirmed, the team will pay more attention to the rotation and state adjustment of the main players, so as to welcome the arrival of the playoffs in the best posture. If the current ranking can be maintained, the Rockets will even have the home advantage, which is undoubtedly a very valuable benefit for a young team.