NBA Power Rankings: Rockets Rising Despite Struggles

The Houston Rockets' win against the Utah Jazz has prompted a rise in this week's power rankings.

Jeremy Brener | Jan 24, 2024

NBA Power Rankings: Rockets Rising Despite Struggles /

In this story:

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are struggling in the month of January, having won two of their last eight games.

However, as teams below them have struggled even more, the Rockets actually moved one spot up in CBS Sports' latest power rankings. The team now sits at No. 21 after being No. 22 a week ago.

USATSI_22345856 — Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

"Houston lost to the Knicks and Celtics this week, while outlasting the Jazz in overtime," CBS Sports writes. "Alperen Sengun continues to impress, averaging 26 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for the week on 53% shooting. Rookie Amen Thompson filled in for the resting Fred VanVleet against Boston on Sunday, putting up 15 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in his first career start."

Ime Udoka 'Not Surprised' by Joel Embiid's 70-Point Performance vs. Spurs

The Rockets are back in action tonight when the Portland Trail Blazers come to town. Then, the team heads out on the road for a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets (who recently traded Terry Rozier to the Miami Heat) and Brooklyn Nets before returning home for a game on Monday against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Published Jan 24, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.