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List of Houston Rockets seasons
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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.
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 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.
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 four times. They did not win their first championship until , when Olajuwon led them to a franchise-best 58 wins, and the championship. The Rockets repeated the feat in , but have not advanced to the finals since. They missed the playoffs from to , 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 . 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.
Table key
| W | Number of regular-season wins |
|---|
Seasons
Note: Statistics are correct as of the .
| **NBA champions** | **Conference champions** | **Division champions** | **Playoff berth** | **Play-in berth** |
|---|
| Season | League | Conference | Finish | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Win% | GB | Playoffs | Awards | Head coach | Total (57 seasons) | 2,421 | 2,267 | colspan=3 | 2 NBA Championships | 16 Head Coaches | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Rockets | border=2}};" | **San Diego Rockets** | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | — | — | Western | 6th | 15 | 67 | 41 | — | Jack McMahon | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | — | — | Western | 4th | 37 | 45 | 18 | Lost [Division semifinals](1969-nba-playoffs) ([Hawks](1968-69-atlanta-hawks-season)) 4–2 | — | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | — | — | Western | 7th | 27 | 55 | 21 | — | Jack McMahon | |||||||||||||||
| Alex Hannum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 3rd | 40 | 42 | 8 | — | Alex Hannum | |||||||||||||||
| Houston Rockets | border=2}};" | **Houston Rockets** | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 4th | 34 | 48 | 35 | — | Tex Winter | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Eastern | 5th | Central | 3rd | 33 | 49 | 19 | — | Tex Winter | |||||||||||||||
| Johnny Egan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 3rd | 32 | 50 | 15 | — | Johnny Egan | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 2nd | 41 | 41 | 19 | **Won** [First round](1975-nba-playoffs) ([Knicks](1974-75-new-york-knicks-season)) 2–1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lost [conference semifinals](1975-nba-playoffs) ([Celtics](1974-75-boston-celtics-season)) 4–1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 3rd | 40 | 42 | 9 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Eastern | 2nd | **Central** | **1st** | 49 | 33 | — | **Won** [conference semifinals](1977-nba-playoffs) ([Bullets](1976-77-washington-bullets-season)) 4–2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lost [conference finals](1977-nba-playoffs) ([76ers](1976-77-philadelphia-76ers-season)) 4–2 | Tom Nissalke (COY) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ray Patterson (EOY) | Tom Nissalke | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 6th | 28 | 54 | 24 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 2nd | 47 | 35 | 1 | Lost [First round](1979-nba-playoffs) ([Hawks](1978-79-atlanta-hawks-season)) 2–0 | Moses Malone (MVP) | |||||||||||||||
| Calvin Murphy (JWKC) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 2nd | 41 | 41 | 9 | **Won** [First round](1980-nba-playoffs) ([Spurs](1979-80-san-antonio-spurs-season)) 2–1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lost [conference semifinals](1980-nba-playoffs) ([Celtics](1979-80-boston-celtics-season)) 4–0 | — | Del Harris | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | **Western** | 6th | Midwest | 3rd | 40 | 42 | 12 | **Won** [First round](1981-nba-playoffs) ([Lakers](1980-81-los-angeles-lakers-season)) 2–1 | ||||||||||||||||
| **Won** [conference semifinals](1981-nba-playoffs) ([Spurs](1980-81-san-antonio-spurs-season)) 4–3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Won** [conference finals](1981-nba-playoffs) ([Kings](1980-81-kansas-city-kings-season)) 4–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lost [NBA Finals](1981-nba-finals) ([Celtics](1980-81-boston-celtics-season)) 4–2 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 6th | Midwest | 3rd | 46 | 36 | 2 | Lost [First round](1982-nba-playoffs) ([SuperSonics](1981-82-seattle-supersonics-season)) 2–1 | Moses Malone (MVP) | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 12th | Midwest | 6th | 14 | 68 | 39 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 12th | Midwest | 6th | 29 | 53 | 16 | Ralph Sampson (ROY) | Bill Fitch | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 3rd | Midwest | 2nd | 48 | 34 | 4 | Lost [First round](1985-nba-playoffs) ([Jazz](1984-85-utah-jazz-season)) 3–2 | Ralph Sampson (ASG MVP) | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | **Western** | 2nd | **Midwest** | **1st** | 51 | 31 | — | **Won** [First round](1986-nba-playoffs) ([Kings](1985-86-sacramento-kings-season)) 3–0 | ||||||||||||||||
| **Won** [conference semifinals](1986-nba-playoffs) ([Nuggets](1985-86-denver-nuggets-season)) 4–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Won** [conference finals](1986-nba-playoffs) ([Lakers](1985-86-los-angeles-lakers-season)) 4–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lost [NBA Finals](1986-nba-finals) ([Celtics](1985-86-boston-celtics-season)) 4–2 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 6th | Midwest | 3rd | 42 | 40 | 13 | **Won** [First round](1987-nba-playoffs) ([Trail Blazers](1986-87-portland-trail-blazers-season)) 3–1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lost [conference semifinals](1987-nba-playoffs) ([SuperSonics](1986-87-seattle-supersonics-season)) 4–2 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 6th | Midwest | 4th | 46 | 36 | 8 | Lost [First round](1988-nba-playoffs) ([Mavericks](1987-88-dallas-mavericks-season)) 3–1 | — | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 5th | Midwest | 2nd | 45 | 37 | 6 | Lost [First round](1989-nba-playoffs) ([SuperSonics](1988-89-seattle-supersonics-season)) 3–1 | — | Don Chaney | ||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 8th | Midwest | 5th | 41 | 41 | 15 | Lost [First round](1990-nba-playoffs) ([Lakers](1989-90-los-angeles-lakers-season)) 3–1 | — | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 6th | Midwest | 3rd | 52 | 30 | 3 | Lost [First round](1991-nba-playoffs) ([Lakers](1990-91-los-angeles-lakers-season)) 3–0 | Don Chaney (COY) | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 9th | Midwest | 3rd | 42 | 40 | 13 | — | Don Chaney | |||||||||||||||
| Rudy Tomjanovich | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 2nd | **Midwest** | **1st** | 55 | 27 | — | **Won** [First round](1993-nba-playoffs) ([Clippers](1992-93-los-angeles-clippers-season)) 3–2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lost [conference semifinals](1993-nba-playoffs) ([SuperSonics](1992-93-seattle-supersonics-season)) 4–3 | Hakeem Olajuwon (DPOY) | Rudy Tomjanovich | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| **NBA** | **Western** | 2nd | **Midwest** | **1st** | 58 | 24 | — | **Won** [First round](1994-nba-playoffs) ([Trail Blazers](1993-94-portland-trail-blazers-season)) 3–1 | ||||||||||||||||
| **Won** [conference semifinals](1994-nba-playoffs) ([Suns](1993-94-phoenix-suns-season)) 4–3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Won** [conference finals](1994-nba-playoffs) ([Jazz](1993-94-utah-jazz-season)) 4–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Won [NBA Finals](1994-nba-finals)** ([Knicks](1993-94-new-york-knicks-season)) 4–3 | Hakeem Olajuwon (MVP, FMVP, DPOY) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| **NBA** | **Western** | 6th | Midwest | 3rd | 47 | 35 | 15 | **Won** [First round](1995-nba-playoffs) ([Jazz](1994-95-utah-jazz-season)) 3–2 | ||||||||||||||||
| **Won** [conference semifinals](1995-nba-playoffs) ([Suns](1994-95-phoenix-suns-season)) 4–3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Won** [conference finals](1995-nba-playoffs) ([Spurs](1994-95-san-antonio-spurs-season)) 4–2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Won [NBA Finals](1995-nba-finals)** ([Magic](1994-95-orlando-magic-season)) 4–0 | Hakeem Olajuwon (FMVP) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 5th | Midwest | 3rd | 48 | 34 | 11 | **Won** [First round](1996-nba-playoffs) ([Lakers](1995-96-los-angeles-lakers-season)) 3–1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lost [conference semifinals](1996-nba-playoffs) ([SuperSonics](1995-96-seattle-supersonics-season)) 4–0 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 3rd | Midwest | 2nd | 57 | 25 | 7 | **Won** [First round](1997-nba-playoffs) ([Timberwolves](1996-97-minnesota-timberwolves-season)) 3–0 | ||||||||||||||||
| **Won** [conference semifinals](1997-nba-playoffs) ([SuperSonics](1996-97-seattle-supersonics-season)) 4–3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lost [conference finals](1997-nba-playoffs) ([Jazz](1996-97-utah-jazz-season)) 4–2 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 8th | Midwest | 4th | 41 | 41 | 21 | Lost [First round](1998-nba-playoffs) ([Jazz](1997-98-utah-jazz-season)) 3–2 | — | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 5th | Midwest | 3rd | 31 | 19 | 6 | Lost [First round](1998-nba-playoffs) ([Lakers](1998-99-los-angeles-lakers-season)) 3–1 | — | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 11th | Midwest | 6th | 34 | 48 | 21 | Steve Francis (ROY) | ||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 9th | Midwest | 5th | 45 | 37 | 13 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 11th | Midwest | 5th | 28 | 54 | 30 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 9th | Midwest | 5th | 43 | 39 | 17 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 7th | Midwest | 5th | 45 | 37 | 13 | Lost [First round](2004-nba-playoffs) ([Lakers](2003-04-los-angeles-lakers-season)) 4–1 | — | Jeff Van Gundy | ||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 5th | Southwest | 3rd | 51 | 31 | 8 | Lost [First round](2005-nba-playoffs) ([Mavericks](2004-05-dallas-mavericks-season)) 4–3 | — | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 12th | Southwest | 5th | 34 | 48 | 29 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 5th | Southwest | 3rd | 52 | 30 | 15 | Lost [First round](2007-nba-playoffs) ([Jazz](2006-07-utah-jazz-season)) 4–3 | — | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 5th | Southwest | 3rd | 55 | 27 | 1 | Lost [First round](2008-nba-playoffs) ([Jazz](2007-08-utah-jazz-season)) 4–2 | — | Rick Adelman | ||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 5th | Southwest | 2nd | 53 | 29 | 1 | **Won** [First round](2009-nba-playoffs) ([Trail Blazers](2008-09-portland-trail-blazers-season)) 4–2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lost [conference semifinals](2009-nba-playoffs) ([Lakers](2008-09-los-angeles-lakers-season)) 4–3 | Dikembe Mutombo (JWKC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 9th | Southwest | 3rd | 42 | 40 | 13 | Aaron Brooks (MIP) | ||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 9th | Southwest | 5th | 43 | 39 | 18 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 9th | Southwest | 4th | 34 | 32 | 16 | — | Kevin McHale | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 8th | Southwest | 3rd | 45 | 37 | 15 | Lost [First round](2013-nba-playoffs) ([Thunder](2012-13-oklahoma-city-thunder-season)) 4–2 | — | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 4th | Southwest | 2nd | 54 | 28 | 8 | Lost [First round](2014-nba-playoffs) ([Trail Blazers](2013-14-portland-trail-blazers-season)) 4–2 | — | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 2nd | **Southwest** | **1st** | 56 | 26 | — | **Won** [First round](2015-nba-playoffs) ([Mavericks](2014-15-dallas-mavericks-season)) 4–1 | ||||||||||||||||
| **Won** [conference semifinals](2015-nba-playoffs) ([Clippers](2014-15-los-angeles-clippers-season)) 4–3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lost [conference finals](2015-nba-playoffs) ([Warriors](2014-15-golden-state-warriors-season)) 4–1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 8th | Southwest | 4th | 41 | 41 | 26 | Lost [First round](2016-nba-playoffs) ([Warriors](2015-16-golden-state-warriors-season)) 4–1 | — | Kevin McHale | ||||||||||||||
| J. B. Bickerstaff | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 3rd | Southwest | 2nd | 55 | 27 | 6 | **Won** [First round](2017-nba-playoffs) ([Thunder](2016-17-oklahoma-city-thunder-season)) 4–1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lost [conference semifinals](2017-nba-playoffs) ([Spurs](2016-17-san-antonio-spurs-season)) 4–2 | Eric Gordon (SIX) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mike D'Antoni (COY) | Mike D'Antoni | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 1st | **Southwest** | **1st** | 65 | 17 | — | **Won** [First round](2018-nba-playoffs) ([Timberwolves](2017-18-minnesota-timberwolves-season)) 4–1 | ||||||||||||||||
| **Won** [conference semifinals](2018-nba-playoffs) ([Jazz](2017-18-utah-jazz-season)) 4–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lost [conference finals](2018-nba-playoffs) ([Warriors](2017-18-golden-state-warriors-season)) 4–3 | James Harden (MVP) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daryl Morey (EOY) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 4th | **Southwest** | **1st** | 53 | 29 | — | **Won** [First round](2019-nba-playoffs) ([Jazz](2018-19-utah-jazz-season)) 4–1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lost [conference semifinals](2019-nba-playoffs) ([Warriors](2018-19-golden-state-warriors-season)) 4–2 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 4th | **Southwest** | **1st** | 44 | 28 | — | **Won** [First round](2020-nba-playoffs) ([Thunder](2019-20-oklahoma-city-thunder-season)) 4–3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lost [conference semifinals](2020-nba-playoffs) ([Lakers](2019-20-los-angeles-lakers-season)) 4–1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 15th | Southwest | 5th | 17 | 55 | 25 | — | Stephen Silas | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 15th | Southwest | 5th | 20 | 62 | 44 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 14th | Southwest | 4th | 22 | 60 | 30.5 | — | ||||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 11th | Southwest | 3rd | 41 | 41 | 9 | — | Ime Udoka | |||||||||||||||
| NBA | Western | 2nd | **Southwest** | **1st** | 52 | 30 | — | Lost [First round](2025-nba-playoffs) ([Warriors](2024-25-golden-state-warriors-season)) 4–3 | — |
All-time records
:Complete through the 2025 NBA playoffs.
| Statistic | Wins | Losses | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Rockets regular season record (1968–1971) | 119 | 209 | |
| Houston Rockets regular season record (1971–present) | 2,302 | 2,058 | |
| **All-time regular season record (1968–present)** | **2,421** | **2,267** | **** |
| San Diego Rockets post-season record (1969) | 2 | 4 | |
| Houston Rockets post-season record (1975–present) | 159 | 164 | |
| **All-time post-season record (1969–present)** | **161** | **168** | **** |
| **All-time regular and post-season record** | **2,582** | **2,435** | **** |
Notes
References
General
Citations
References
- (September 20, 2001). "Owners, fans waited years before Rockets took off". Houston Chronicle.
- "Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "Team Index". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1968–69 San Diego Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1969–70 NBA Season Summary". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1970–71 NBA Season Summary". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1974–75 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1976–77 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1978–79 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1979–80 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1980–81 NBA Season Summary". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1980–81 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1981–82 NBA Season Summary". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1981–82 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1984–85 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1985–86 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1986–87 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1987–88 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1988–89 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1989–90 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1990–91 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1992–93 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1993–94 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1994–95 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1995–96 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1996–97 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1997–98 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- Donovan, John. (February 4, 1999). "Let the semi-season begin: Expect injuries, intensity and a new champion in '99". [[CNN Sports Illustrated]].
- "1998–99 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "Rookie of the Year Award Winners". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2003–04 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2004–05 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2006–07 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2007–08 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2008–09 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- Beck, Howard. (November 28, 2011). "Two Exhibition Games for N.B.A. Teams". The New York Times.
- "2012–13 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2013–14 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2014–15 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2015–16 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2016–17 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2017–18 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2018–19 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
- Aschburner, Steve. (March 12, 2020). "Coronavirus pandemic causes NBA to suspend season after player tests positive". NBA Media Ventures, LLC.
- "2019–20 Houston Rockets". Sports Reference LLC.
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