In a nationally televised showdown against the defending NBA champions, Oklahoma City’s defense suffocated the Rockets in a 111-91 victory. Houston fell to 23-15 and remains at No. 6 in the Western Conference, while the Thunder hold the league’s best record at 35-7.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” show offers postgame reaction to Thursday’s letdown at Toyota Center. Topics include a sustained shooting slump across the roster; subpar trend lines for Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith Jr.; and whether a lack of offensive firepower might force general manager Rafael Stone to consider trades at the February 5 in-season deadline.

After three dreadful shooting games — all road losses for the Rockets — from Jabari Smith Jr., Houston’s fourth-year forward finally broke out in Tuesday’s 119-113 win over the Chicago Bulls. The Rockets (23-14) are now 12-2 in home games this season, with 12 wins in their last 13 games at Toyota Center.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways from Houston’s latest victory, including big nights from the high-profile trio of Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson (who all scored more than 20 points). With the win, the Rockets climbed to within a game in the loss column of the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed.

Discussion topics include the implications of Smith (18 points, 7 rebounds) returning to form; the promotion of JD Davison to rotation minutes amid Reed Sheppard’s recent slump; more inconsistency on the defensive end; and crucial games upcoming versus the Oklahoma City Thunder (34-7) and Minnesota Timberwolves (27-14).

This episode can also be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cfb9qyA12Y

After a brilliant 13-4 start to the 2025-26 season, the Rockets (22-12) went just 9-8 in their second 17-game sample. With Houston now at No. 6 in the Western Conference standings, is it time for fans to recalibrate their expectations?

In Friday’s full show, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves explore that question and numerous other January 2026 storylines surrounding the Rockets. Discussion topics include the role of Alperen Sengun’s absence (right ankle sprain) in Houston’s suddenly mediocre offense; how much criticism is warranted for Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith Jr.; and whether the recent inconsistency could make a trade more likely by the in-season deadline of February 5.

Thanks to Kevin Durant’s last-second dagger versus Phoenix, the Rockets (22-11) have now five of six games and are 11-1 in their last 12 home games at Toyota Center.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Monday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways from Houston’s third consecutive victory over the Suns (21-15).

Discussion topics include the healthy return of Steven Adams (11 rebounds); frustrating lapses pertaining to defense and turnovers; and how Durant (26 points, 10 rebounds) helped the Rockets overcome those when it mattered most.

Monday’s show also explores the implications of a week-plus absence (right ankle sprain) for Alperen Sengun — and most notably, which players need to step up in his absence.

With a New Year’s Day blowout in Brooklyn, the Rockets (21-10) have now won four straight games. Thursday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show— featuring Ben DuBose, Dave Hardistry, and Michael Shapiro of Chron.com — breaks down all the key takeaways after a 24-point victory over the Nets.

Topics include the healthy return of Alperen Sengun; another big game from Kevin Durant; and positive signs from the “terror twins” duo of Amen Thompson and Tari Eason.

The Rockets are 6-6 in December and recently wrapped up an underwhelming 2-4 road trip. Yet, a home victory tonight versus Indiana would give Houston (19-10, No. 4 in the Western Conference standings) a three-game winning streak to end the 2025 portion of its schedule. 

Presented by ClutchFans and hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Monday’s full show breaks down all of the latest developments surrounding the team. Topics include Kevin Durant’s efficient scoring binge; the implications of Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith returning healthy; and revised expectations for what has been a very inconsistent defense in recent weeks.

By routing Cleveland, the Rockets (19-10) are back up to No. 4 in the Western Conference standings, and their once leaky defense has held two straight opponents to 100 points or less.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Saturday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways after two dominant wins versus the Lakers and Cavaliers. Topics include elite scoring efficiency from Kevin Durant; what the return of Dorian Finney-Smith means for Houston’s defense; and the short-term outlook for Alperen Sengun, who sat out with calf tightness.

This episode can also be viewed in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvXAiPAQwYk

The Rockets (18-10) went 2-4 on their season-long road trip in December, including losses to multiple teams with records near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Yet, they ended it with a flourish thanks to a Christmas night beatdown of the Lakers (19-10).

With Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty as hosts, Thursday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key storylines. Topics include Dorian Finney-Smith’s return and Tari Eason’s promotion to the starting lineup; a breakout performance by Amen Thompson; and, from the perspective of team results, what the optimal usage model for Alperen Sengun should be.

With a much-improved defensive effort and elite shooting and playmaking from Kevin Durant, Reed Sheppard, and Jabari Smith Jr., Houston (17-8) got its revenge on the Nuggets (20-7) in Saturday’s emphatic win at Denver.

Hosted by Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key storylines and takeaways. Discussion topics include the impact of Durant’s leadership in recent days; Smith’s evolution into a high-level role player for the Rockets; and whether Sheppard has already done enough to secure a consistent spot in Ime Udoka’s closing lineups.

This episode can also be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0McY-0y5yyI

After a strong start to the 2025-26 season, Houston’s defensive rating is now in the bottom half of the NBA for December. Not coincidentally, the Rockets (16-8) currently have a losing record (3-4) for the month.

Hosted by Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our latest “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the frustrations after the Rockets blew a 25-point lead in the second half versus the lowly Pelicans (6-22). Topics include the clear defensive regression; struggles to involve Kevin Durant in crunch-time possessions; and an odd downturn in the usage of Reed Sheppard.