They've answered that in a major way. Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green remain a fantastic inside-outside duo. Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams have provided a solid veteran presence. Amen Thompson has continued to develop into a two-way menace. Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. provide length and floor-spacing.

The organization languished at the bottom of the Western Conference for years after James Harden departed in 2021.

The Houston Rockets are back in action against the Los Angeles Lakers, and the stakes are getting higher as the season winds down. This game in particular is ra