The Houston Rockets are having a terrible week, and the Sacramento Kings didn’t miss the chance to make it more bitter. After the Rockets announced a new home arena tradition—pressing a button to “release smoke” to celebrate wins—they immediately became the target of a brilliantly petty troll job. The Kings edited a video directly from the Rockets’ own social media feed, turning their “initiating the ritual” moment into a savage roast following Sacramento’s 111-98 victory.
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) dribbles against Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center.
The Kings, famous for their “Light the Beam” post-win ritual, reacted swiftly. They didn’t just beat the Rockets on the court; they beat them on the “social media battlefield.” By editing a video from the Rockets’ own channel, they transformed the image of a Rocket player pressing a button into a satirical joke. This move was celebrated online, particularly by Kings fans, as a “masterpiece of pettiness.” “HAHAHAHHAAHAHHA THIS IS GOLD,” one fan excitedly wrote.
The Kings’ joke only lands because it reflects a harsh reality. The Rockets, once the surprise of the West, have lost 4 of their last 5 games, plummeting into play-in territory. The decline stems from more than just the absence of Alperen Şengün (injury); it reveals deeper structural issues.
The Fade of Supporting Cast: Jabari Smith Jr. and other role players are seeing their production taper off significantly.
The Glaring Point Guard Void: Fred VanVleet’s long-term injury has fully exposed the lack of a true floor general, making the offense disjointed and predictable.
Just weeks ago, the Rockets were considered the biggest threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now, they are scrambling just to stay in the top 10. Pressure is mounting on Kevin Durant and the coaching staff. Losing to a struggling team like the Kings (8-30) is a brutal wake-up call: they are no longer the plucky underdogs, but a target that must be overcome.
The Rockets’ new “smoke ceremony” was humiliatingly extinguished at birth. But the real problem isn’t an online troll; it’s the very real crisis on the hardwood. For that smoke button to ever get used, the Rockets urgently need to rediscover their rhythm, fix their schematic holes, and reclaim the confidence that has vanished. The upcoming game against the Chicago Bulls is a chance to salvage pride. Otherwise, the only “smoke show” they’ll be creating is the smoldering wreckage of their once-bright expectations.