With a 15-6 record, the Houston Rockets remain an elite NBA team and the West’s 4th seed. However, their standing is partly due to playing fewer games than rivals. And after a convincing 122-109 loss to the Dallas Mavericks—their worst of the season—the first cracks have appeared, causing a one-spot drop in NBA.com’s latest power rankings and raising legitimate concerns about their staying power.
Dec 6, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) dribbles during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
1. The Alarm Bell in Dallas: A Game That Was Never Close
The loss to the Mavericks wasn’t just an off night. It was the first game all season where the Rockets never trailed by five points or less in the final five minutes. Dallas controlled the game wire-to-wire, exposing Houston’s heavy reliance on their twin pillars: Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün.
2. The Two Glaring Issues: Turnovers and Schedule Fatigue
Analysis from expert John Schuhmann highlights two critical flaws:
Turnover Epidemic Without Şengün: In two weekend games without their Turkish center, the Rockets committed a staggering 43 turnovers. The stats are damning: with Şengün on the floor, they average 15.2 turnovers per 100 possessions, but that spikes to 17.1 when he sits.
The Back-to-Back Curse: The Rockets are now 0-2 in the second game of back-to-back sets. Their defense completely collapses in these scenarios, allowing an average of 127.5 points and losing by an average margin of 10.5 points.
3. A “Fake” Schedule? Is This Start Sustainable?
The Rockets have had the strangest schedule in the NBA: just one more back-to-back in 2025, but a brutal 11 sets awaiting from January to April.
Furthermore, their opponents have largely been mediocre or weak. Of their 21 games, they’ve faced only 7 teams currently in the top six of either conference. The billion-dollar question: Can their league-best defensive and top-5 offensive ratings survive a brutal schedule and elite competition?
4. The Silver Linings: The Durant-Şengün Duo and Historic Rebounding
Despite the concerns, the Rockets’ core strength is undeniable:
The Elite Duo: The presence of Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün is what makes them a true title contender.
Offensive Rebounding Domination: They own the best offensive rebounding percentage in the last 30 years, a weapon that creates endless extra chances.
Elite Overall Efficiency: They still boast the league’s second-best defensive rating and a top-five offensive rating.
The extended break until December 11th is a golden opportunity for the Houston Rockets to heal and self-reflect. They don’t lack talent or scheme, but they must solve their depth issue (especially without Şengün) and stamina puzzle for the marathon ahead. Their real season begins when the schedule densifies and the opponents get tougher. The Dallas loss could be a timely wake-up call, or it could be a sign they’re still a “clay-footed giant.” January will provide the clearest answer.