Houston Rockets
FILE - Los Angeles Lakers' Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) hooks a shot over Portland Trail Blazers' Jim Brewer (52) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on March 12, 1980. Abdul-Jabbar wins his sixth MVP award after claiming five in the 1970s. He averaged 24.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon, File)
Timeline of NBA in 1980s as league celebrates 75th season

By The Associated Press Jan. 17, 2022 10:45 AM EST

Reporters use smartphones to film Yao Ming, head of the Chinese Basketball Association and Ice Snow Sports Promotion Ambassador, left, as he speaks during a Linjia 7 Salon afternoon tea with journalists at Beijing International Club in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. Former NBA great Yao Ming said Monday he and others had a pleasant talk when they met last month with Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, whose disappearance after making a sexual assault allegation against a former government official raised international concern. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Former NBA great Yao Ming addresses Peng Shuai, Olympics

By Ken Moritsugu Jan. 17, 2022 06:22 AM EST

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) shoots against the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks 5/16/2021

May. 22, 2021 12:32 PM EDT

Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown tries to cut between Houston Rockets' Kenyon Martin Jr. (6) and D.J. Augustin during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Another perfect night by Williams lifts Celtics over Rockets

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 02, 2021 10:15 PM EDT

Houston Rockets' Jae'Sean Tate (8) dunks in front of Brooklyn Nets' Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Nets lose Harden but beat Rockets, move into first in East

By Brian Mahoney Mar. 31, 2021 10:05 PM EDT

Houston Rockets guard Victor Oladipo (7) shoots as Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) defends during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 19, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taromina/Pool Photo via AP)
Trade deadline passes, and Kyle Lowry remains with Raptors

By Tim Reynolds Mar. 25, 2021 03:44 PM EDT

Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse talks to players during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Virus sidelines Raptors coaches, Siakam for Rockets game

By Tim Reynolds Feb. 26, 2021 02:25 PM EST

Philadelphia 76ers' Tobias Harris (12) goes up for a shot against Houston Rockets' John Wall (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Embiid leads 76ers past short-handed Rockets 118-113

By Aaron Bracy Feb. 17, 2021 10:22 PM EST

Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Rockets look to future after trading Harden to Brooklyn

By Kristie Rieken Jan. 17, 2021 04:26 PM EST

Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes gets a hand on Houston Rockets guard James Harden during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday Dec. 31, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Richard Carson)
Harden scratched late from Rockets' game with ankle sprain

By Kristie Rieken Jan. 02, 2021 05:05 PM EST

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, drives as Houston Rockets guard James Harden defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jokic's triple-double leads Nuggets past Rockets 124-111

By Dennis Georgatos Dec. 28, 2020 11:54 PM EST

Houston Rockets' James Harden looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against tha San Antonio Spurs in Houston, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. (Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo via AP)
Rockets set to go into opener with 9 available players

By Tim Reynolds Dec. 26, 2020 01:17 PM EST

The Latest: USC basketball to return against Santa Clara

By The Associated Press Dec. 26, 2020 07:20 AM EST
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ Southern California’s men’s...

Houston Rockets guard James Harden, top right, joins the huddle while talking to guard Brodric Thomas (33) during the fourth quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, in Houston. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Harden must quarantine until Friday; could play in opener

By Tim Reynolds Dec. 24, 2020 01:29 PM EST

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, drives to the rim past Sacramento Kings forward Nemanja Bjelica in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hield tip-in leads Kings to 124-122 overtime win in Denver

By Arnie Stapleton Dec. 24, 2020 12:05 AM EST

Houston Rockets guard James Harden, top center, joins the huddle during the fourth quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, in Houston. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
OKC-Houston game postponed, Harden out after COVID violation

By Kristie Rieken Dec. 23, 2020 05:51 PM EST

FILE - In this Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, file photo, then-Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan, left, talks with an official during the second half of an NBA first-round playoff basketball game against the Houston Rockets, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Chicago Bulls made sweeping changes to their front office for the 2020-21 season and snagged Donovan, one of the top coaches on the market, hoping an overhaul in leadership will carry them back to respectability. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
New NBA coaches for 9 teams navigating compressed timeline

By Brett Martel Dec. 19, 2020 11:31 AM EST

Houston Rockets' James Harden warms up prior to facing the San Antonio Spurs in an NBA basketball game in Houston, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. (Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo via AP)
Still the beginning for some, NBA preseason nears its end

By The Associated Press Dec. 17, 2020 09:41 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2020, file photo, Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) argues a call during the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Harden has not reported to training camp with the Rockets and coach Stephen Silas says he did not know when the All-Star guard would arrive. The Rockets had their second workout of training camp on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, and afterward the new coach addressed the absence of the disgruntled star who reportedly wants to be traded. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Harden practices with Rockets; coach says he'll play Tuesday

By Kristie Rieken Dec. 14, 2020 03:48 PM EST

Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford talks to players during a timeout in the first half of the team's NBA preseason basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
John Wall back on floor, NBA opens preseason in empty arenas

By The Associated Press Dec. 11, 2020 09:56 PM EST