HOUSTON – An 0-2 start might trigger alarm bells for some, but for the Houston Rockets, the first two games have been a masterclass in nuance. Two losses by a combined five points, including a double-overtime thriller against the defending champions, reveal a team on the cusp, not in crisis. The early story isn’t the winless record; it’s the fascinating data emerging from Ime Udoka’s lineup experiments as he navigates a season without floor general Fred VanVleet.
Oct 24, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Rockets aren’t just losing; they are collecting invaluable information. With VanVleet’s ACL injury forcing a last-minute roster recalibration, Udoka is using these games as a live laboratory to see which combinations can fuel a playoff push.
The Crown Jewel: A Historically Tall, Dominant Starting Five
The most significant finding so far is the stunning success of the starting lineup. The jumbo unit of Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün, and Steven Adams has been nothing short of dominant in its 22 minutes together.
Net Rating: +11.6
Offensive Rating: 118.6
Defensive Rating: 107.0
This group’s size and versatility are causing problems on both ends. They score efficiently and, crucially, have locked down opponents defensively. It’s a small sample size, but it confirms the theoretical upside of playing two elite bigs together—a philosophy the Rockets seem committed to exploring.
The Glaring Weakness: The Defensive Struggle When Sheppard Plays
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the data points to a clear defensive vulnerability. The Rockets’ team defense, a cornerstone of their identity last season, has slipped to allowing 120 points per game. A deep dive into the numbers reveals a troubling pattern:
Of the lineups that have played multiple minutes and have a poor defensive rating (112 or higher), six of the eight feature Reed Sheppard. The sophomore guard, tasked with a larger role, has been targeted by opposing backcourts and has struggled to contain penetration, creating a ripple effect throughout the defense.
The Offensive Engine: Durant and Şengun Carry the Load
While the defense searches for answers, the offense has a clear foundation. The Rockets’ most potent offensive lineups almost universally feature both Kevin Durant (30.0 ppg) and Alperen Şengun (28.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 7.0 apg). Their two-man game and individual brilliance have been the driving force behind Houston’s high-scoring outputs, proving they can generate points against any defense.
The path forward for the Rockets is becoming clearer, albeit challenging. The success of the super-sized starting lineup is a compelling reason to stay the course. However, Reed Sheppard’s defensive struggles cannot be ignored and likely preclude him from closing games for now.
The solution? Lean into what works. This means committing to the double-big lineup, managing Sheppard’s minutes against elite guards, and continuing to ride the historic production of Durant and Şengun. The loss of VanVleet is a seismic event, but the early returns suggest the Rockets have the talent and tactical flexibility to adapt. Panic is not the emotion of the day; patience and analytical adjustment are. The wins will come if they continue to mine these early-season lessons for gold.