List of Houston Rockets seasons

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The Rockets moved into the Toyota Center at the start of the 2003–2004 season.[1]

The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The Rockets play in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before moving to Houston, Texas.[1]

In the Rockets' debut season, their win-loss record was 15–67. After drafting Elvin Hayes first overall in the 1968 NBA Draft, they made their first appearance in the playoffs in 1969. After Hayes was traded, Moses Malone replaced him. Malone won two Most Valuable Player awards during his time in Houston, and led the Rockets to the 1977 Eastern Conference finals in his first year with the Rockets. He also led the Rockets to the NBA Finals in 1981, but they were defeated in six games by the Boston Celtics. Two years after advancing to the finals, the Rockets won a franchise-low 14 games.[2]

In 1984, the Rockets drafted future Hall-of-Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, who led them to the 1986 Finals in his second year, in which they lost again to Boston. In the next seven seasons, they lost in the first round of the playoffs five times. They did not win their first championship until 1994, when Olajuwon led them to a franchise-best 58 wins, and the championship. The Rockets repeated the feat in 1995, but have not advanced to the finals since. They missed the playoffs from 1999 to 2003, and did not reach the playoffs until after they drafted Yao Ming in 2003. They did not advance past the first round of the playoffs for 13 years, until the 2008–09 NBA season. After the arrival of James Harden in 2012 and Dwight Howard the following year, the Rockets had their best seasons since the Olajuwon days, culminating in the Southwest Division title and a return to the Western Conference Finals in 2015. The 2017–18 Rockets made franchise history by becoming the first Houston team ever to win 60 or more games in a regular season, finishing at 65–17.

The Rockets have played 54 seasons, and advanced to the playoffs in 34 of those seasons. They also have regular season records of .500 or better in 38 of their 54 seasons, placing them well into the upper third of NBA franchises in overall win-loss records. They have won eight division titles, and have been conference champions four times. Their overall record is 2,444 wins and 2,328 losses.[3]

Table key[]

AMVP All-Star Game Most Valuable Player
COY Coach of the Year
DPOY Defensive Player of the Year
EOY Executive of the Year
Finish Final position in league or division standings
FMVP Finals Most Valuable Player
GB Games behind first-place team in division[a]
L Number of regular-season losses
JWKC J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship
MVP Most Valuable Player
ROY Rookie of the Year
W Number of regular-season wins

Seasons[]

Note: Statistics are correct as of the 2020–21 season.

NBA champions
(1968–present) 		Conference champions
(1971–present) 		Division champions
(1971–present) 		Playoff berth
(1968–present)
Season League Conference Finish Division Finish Wins Losses Win% GB Playoffs Awards
San Diego Rockets
1967–68 NBA — — Western 6th 15 67 .183 41 —
1968–69 NBA — — Western 4th 37 45 .451 18 Lost Division Semifinals (Hawks) 4–2[4] —
1969–70 NBA — — Western 7th 27 55 .329 21 —
1970–71 NBA Western 7th Pacific[b] 3rd 40 42 .488 8 —
Houston Rockets
1971–72 NBA Western 7th Pacific 4th 34 48 .415 35 —
1972–73 NBA Eastern 5th Central 3rd 33 49 .402 19 —
1973–74 NBA Eastern 6th Central 3rd 32 50 .390 15 —
1974–75 NBA Eastern 4th Central 2nd 41 41 .500 19 Won First Round (Knicks) 2–1
Lost Conference Semifinals (Celtics) 4–1[7] 		—
1975–76 NBA Eastern 6th Central 3rd 40 42 .488 9 —
1976–77 NBA Eastern 2nd Central 1st 49 33 .598 — Won Conference Semifinals (Bullets) 4–2
Lost Conference Finals (76ers) 4–2[8] 		Tom Nissalke (COY)
Ray Patterson (EOY)
1977–78 NBA Eastern 9th Central 6th 28 54 .341 24 —
1978–79 NBA Eastern 4th Central 2nd 47 35 .573 1 Lost First Round (Hawks) 2–0[9] Moses Malone (MVP)
Calvin Murphy (JWKC)
1979–80 NBA Eastern 4th Central 2nd 41 41 .500 9 Won First Round (Spurs) 2–1
Lost Conference Semifinals (Celtics) 4–0[10] 		—
1980–81 NBA Western 6th Midwest 3rd[c] 40 42 .488 12 Won First Round (Lakers) 2–1
Won Conference Semifinals (Spurs) 4–3
Won Conference Finals (Kings) 4–1
Lost NBA Finals (Celtics) 4–2[12] 		—
1981–82 NBA Western 6th Midwest 3rd[d] 46 36 .561 2 Lost First Round (SuperSonics) 2–1[14] Moses Malone (MVP)
1982–83 NBA Western 12th Midwest 6th 14 68 .171 39 —
1983–84 NBA Western 12th Midwest 6th 29 53 .354 16 Ralph Sampson (ROY)
1984–85 NBA Western 3rd Midwest 2nd 48 34 .585 4 Lost First Round (Jazz) 3–2[15] Ralph Sampson (ASG MVP)
1985–86 NBA Western 2nd Midwest 1st 51 31 .622 — Won First Round (Kings) 3–0
Won Conference Semifinals (Nuggets) 4–2
Won Conference Finals (Lakers) 4–1
Lost NBA Finals (Celtics) 4–2[16] 		—
1986–87 NBA Western 6th Midwest 3rd 42 40 .512 13 Won First Round (Trail Blazers) 3–1
Lost Conference Semifinals (SuperSonics) 4–2[17] 		—
1987–88 NBA Western 6th Midwest 4th 46 36 .561 8 Lost First Round (Mavericks) 3–1[18] —
1988–89 NBA Western 5th Midwest 2nd 45 37 .549 6 Lost First Round (SuperSonics) 3–1[19] —
1989–90 NBA Western 8th Midwest 5th 41 41 .500 15 Lost First Round (Lakers) 3–1[20] —
1990–91 NBA Western 6th Midwest 3rd 52 30 .634 3 Lost First Round (Lakers) 3–0[21] Don Chaney (COY)
1991–92 NBA Western 9th Midwest 3rd 42 40 .512 13 —
1992–93 NBA Western 2nd Midwest 1st 55 27 .671 — Won First Round (Clippers) 3–2
Lost Conference Semifinals (SuperSonics) 4–3[22] 		Hakeem Olajuwon (DPOY)
1993–94 NBA Western 2nd Midwest 1st 58 24 .707 — Won First Round (Trail Blazers) 3–1
Won Conference Semifinals (Suns) 4–3
Won Conference Finals (Jazz) 4–1
Won NBA Finals (Knicks) 4–3[23] 		Hakeem Olajuwon (MVP, FMVP, DPOY)
1994–95 NBA Western 6th Midwest 3rd 47 35 .573 15 Won First Round (Jazz) 3–2
Won Conference Semifinals (Suns) 4–3
Won Conference Finals (Spurs) 4–2
Won NBA Finals (Magic) 4–0[24] 		Hakeem Olajuwon (FMVP)
1995–96 NBA Western 5th Midwest 3rd 48 34 .585 11 Won First Round (Lakers) 3–1
Lost Conference Semifinals (SuperSonics) 4–0[25] 		—
1996–97 NBA Western 3rd Midwest 2nd 57 25 .695 7 Won First Round (Timberwolves) 3–0
Won Conference Semifinals (SuperSonics) 4–3
Lost Conference Finals (Jazz) 4–2[26] 		—
1997–98 NBA Western 8th Midwest 4th 41 41 .500 21 Lost First Round (Jazz) 3–2[27] —
1998–99[e] NBA Western 5th Midwest 3rd 31 19 .620 6 Lost First Round (Lakers) 3–1[29] —
1999–00 NBA Western 11th Midwest 6th 34 48 .415 21 Steve Francis[f] (ROY)
2000–01 NBA Western 9th Midwest 5th 45 37 .549 13 —
2001–02 NBA Western 11th Midwest 5th 28 54 .341 30 —
2002–03 NBA Western 9th Midwest 5th 43 39 .524 17 —
2003–04 NBA Western 7th Midwest 5th 45 37 .549 13 Lost First Round (Lakers) 4–1[31] —
2004–05 NBA Western 5th Southwest 3rd 51 31 .622 8 Lost First Round (Mavericks) 4–3[32] —
2005–06 NBA Western 12th Southwest 5th 34 48 .415 29 —
2006–07 NBA Western 5th Southwest 3rd 52 30 .634 15 Lost First Round (Jazz) 4–3[33] —
2007–08 NBA Western 5th Southwest 3rd 55 27 .671 1 Lost First Round (Jazz) 4–2[34] —
2008–09 NBA Western 5th Southwest 2nd 53 29 .646 1 Won First Round (Trail Blazers) 4–2
Lost Conference Semifinals (Lakers) 4–3 		Dikembe Mutombo (JWKC)
2009–10 NBA Western 9th Southwest 3rd 42 40 .512 13 Aaron Brooks (MIP)
2010–11 NBA Western 9th Southwest 5th 43 39 .524 18 —
2011–12[g] NBA Western 9th Southwest 4th 34 32 .515 16 —
2012–13 NBA Western 8th Southwest 3rd 45 37 .549 15 Lost First Round (Thunder) 4–2 —
2013–14 NBA Western 4th Southwest 2nd 54 28 .659 8 Lost First Round (Trail Blazers) 4–2 —
2014–15 NBA Western 2nd Southwest 1st 56 26 .683 — Won First Round (Mavericks) 4–1
Won Conference Semifinals (Clippers) 4–3
Lost Conference Finals (Warriors) 4–1 		—
2015–16 NBA Western 8th Southwest 4th 41 41 .500 26 Lost First Round (Warriors) 4–1 —
2016–17 NBA Western 3rd Southwest 2nd 55 27 .671 6 Won First Round (Thunder) 4–1
Lost Conference Semifinals (Spurs) 4–2 		Mike D'Antoni (COY)
Eric Gordon (SMOY)
2017–18 NBA Western 1st Southwest 1st 65 17 .793 — Won First Round (Timberwolves) 4–1
Won Conference Semifinals (Jazz) 4–1
Lost Conference Finals (Warriors) 4–3 		James Harden (MVP)
Daryl Morey (EOY)
2018–19 NBA Western 4th Southwest 1st 53 29 .646 — Won First Round (Jazz) 4–1
Lost Conference Semifinals (Warriors) 4–2 		—
2019–20[h] NBA Western 4th Southwest 1st 44 28 .611 — Won First Round (Thunder) 4–3
Lost Conference Semifinals (Lakers) 4–1 		—
2020–21 NBA Western 15th Southwest 5th 17 55 .236 25 —
Total (54 seasons) 2,286 2,074 .524 2 NBA Championships

All-time records[]

Complete through the 2020–21 regular season
Statistic Wins Losses Win%
San Diego Rockets regular season record (1968–1971) 119 209 .363
Houston Rockets regular season record (1971–present) 2,167 1,865 .537
All-time regular season record (1968–2021) 2,286 2,074 .524
San Diego Rockets post-season record (1969) 2 4 .333
Houston Rockets post-season record (1975–present) 156 160 .492
All-time post-season record (1969–2021) 158 164 .491
All-time regular and post-season record 2,444 2,238 .522

Notes[]

  1. ^ The formula is:
  2. ^ The Western Division was renamed to the Western Conference and split into the Midwest and Pacific divisions.[5][6]
  3. ^ Though the Rockets had the same record as the Kansas City Kings in the Midwest Division, the Rockets lost the tiebreaker and finished third.[11]
  4. ^ Though the Rockets had the same record as the Denver Nuggets in the Midwest Division, the Rockets lost the tiebreaker and finished third.[13]
  5. ^ Due to a lockout, the season did not start until February 5, 1999, and all 29 teams played a shortened 50-game regular season schedule.[28]
  6. ^ Francis shared Rookie of the Year honors with Elton Brand of the Chicago Bulls.[30]
  7. ^ Due to a lockout, the season did not start until December 25, 2011 and all 30 teams played a shortened 66 game regular season schedule.[35]
  8. ^ Season suspended mid-season due to the global COVID-19 pandemic[36]

References[]

General
  • "Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 29, 2008.
  • "Team Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 29, 2008.
  • "Playoff Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 29, 2008.
  • "Awards and Honors Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 7, 2008.
Specific
  1. ^ a b "Owners, fans waited years before Rockets took off". Houston Chronicle. September 20, 2001. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
  2. ^ "Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 14, 2008.
  3. ^ "Team Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  4. ^ "1968–69 San Diego Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  5. ^ "1969–70 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  6. ^ "1970–71 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  7. ^ "1974–75 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  8. ^ "1976–77 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  9. ^ "1978–79 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  10. ^ "1979–80 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  11. ^ "1980–81 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  12. ^ "1980–81 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  13. ^ "1981–82 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  14. ^ "1981–82 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  15. ^ "1984–85 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  16. ^ "1985–86 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  17. ^ "1986–87 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  18. ^ "1987–88 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  19. ^ "1988–89 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  20. ^ "1989–90 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  21. ^ "1990–91 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  22. ^ "1992–93 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  23. ^ "1993–94 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  24. ^ "1994–95 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  25. ^ "1995–96 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  26. ^ "1996–97 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  27. ^ "1997–98 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  28. ^ Donovan, John (February 4, 1999). "Let the semi-season begin: Expect injuries, intensity and a new champion in '99". CNN Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  29. ^ "1998–99 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  30. ^ "Rookie of the Year Award Winners". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2009.
  31. ^ "2003–04 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  32. ^ "2004–05 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  33. ^ "2006–07 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  34. ^ "2007–08 Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  35. ^ Beck, Howard (November 28, 2011). "Two Exhibition Games for N.B.A. Teams". The New York Times. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  36. ^ Aschburner, Steve (March 12, 2020). "Coronavirus pandemic causes NBA to suspend season after player tests positive". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved June 17, 2020.

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