Inside The Rockets

Rockets Have One Really Good Problem to Have

The Houston Rockets have a problem on their hands.

Jeremy Brener

Mar 14, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (00) shoots against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Mar 14, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (00) shoots against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) in the second half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images / Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets have been toying with their starting lineup over the past two months as injuries have forced the team to match up differently.

In a recent win against the Chicago Bulls, the Rockets returned to their most popular lineup, where Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun started for Houston.

NBA.com writer John Schuhmann pointed out the lineup as one of the best in the NBA.

"Fred VanVleet returned from a five-game absence last week, but the Rockets were without Amen Thompson (ankle sprain) for all four games," Schuhmann writes.

"With Tari Eason also sitting out the second game of a back-to-back, their win against the Bulls on Saturday was the first time since Jan. 1 that they started a game with their original lineup (Jabari Smith at the four). They’re 21-10 when that lineup has played together and have outscored opponents by 7.2 points per 100 possessions in its 443 minutes. That mark ranks eighth among 21 lineups that have played at least 200 minutes."

The Rockets had a lot of success with Thompson in the starting lineup, and Ime Udoka didn't want to go back when Smith became healthy. It will be interesting to see what happens if the Rockets continue to win because the team has six or seven starters, but only five slots.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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