The 2008-09 Houston Rockets season was marked by a strong performance in the regular season and a notable playoff run. The team finished with a 53-29 record, securing the fifth seed in the Western Conference. This success was achieved under the guidance of head coach Rick Adelman, who emphasized a strong defensive strategy. Key players included Yao Ming, Ron Artest, and Luis Scola, who provided a balanced attack on both ends of the floor.
During the regular season, Yao Ming led the team in scoring and rebounding, showcasing his dominance as one of the league’s premier centers. Ron Artest added toughness and defensive prowess, while Luis Scola provided consistent inside scoring. The Rockets also benefitted from the contributions of point guard Aaron Brooks, who emerged as a key player in the backcourt.
In the playoffs, the Rockets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round in six games, advancing past the first round for the first time since 1997. Their playoff journey continued in the second round against the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite losing Yao Ming to injury in Game 3, the Rockets pushed the Lakers to seven games, demonstrating resilience and team depth. Ultimately, they fell short, losing the series 4-3. This season is remembered for the team’s grit and determination, as they navigated injuries and tough opponents to make a memorable playoff run.
- Regular Season Record: 53-29
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 4-2, Western Conference Semifinals: 3-4
Houston Rockets Roster and Stats for 2008-09 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Yao Ming | 77 | 19.7 | 9.9 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 100.0 | 9 | 17.1 | 10.9 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| Metta World Peace | 69 | 17.1 | 5.2 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 39.9 | 13 | 15.6 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 27.7 |
| Tracy McGrady | 35 | 15.6 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 37.6 | |||||||
| Luis Scola | 82 | 12.7 | 8.8 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 13 | 14.4 | 8.4 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Rafer Alston | 48 | 11.5 | 3.0 | 5.4 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 34.8 | |||||||
| Aaron Brooks | 80 | 11.2 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 36.6 | 13 | 16.8 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 42.2 |
| Von Wafer | 63 | 9.7 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 39.0 | 13 | 8.2 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 40.9 |
| Carl Landry | 69 | 9.2 | 5.0 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 33.3 | 13 | 7.5 | 3.9 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Kyle Lowry | 28 | 7.6 | 2.8 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 27.6 | 13 | 5.3 | 2.9 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 25.0 |
| Shane Battier | 60 | 7.3 | 4.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 38.4 | 13 | 8.1 | 4.9 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 31.5 |
| Luther Head | 22 | 4.8 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 36.8 | |||||||
| Brent Barry | 56 | 3.7 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 37.4 | 4 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 37.5 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 9 | 1.8 | 3.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.0 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| James White | 4 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 50.0 | 5 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Brian Cook | 9 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 40.0 | 6 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 22.2 |
| Chuck Hayes | 71 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 13 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Joey Dorsey | 3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Houston Rockets in the 2009 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Portland Trail Blazers
In the first round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs, the Houston Rockets faced off against the Portland Trail Blazers in a highly competitive series. The Rockets, led by Yao Ming and Ron Artest, showcased their defensive prowess and experience, ultimately winning the series 4-2. This victory marked the Rockets' first playoff series win since 1997, propelling them to the second round against the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 2009 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 108-81 | |
| Apr 21, 2009 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 107-103 | |
| Apr 24, 2009 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 86-83 | |
| Apr 26, 2009 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 89-88 | |
| Apr 28, 2009 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 88-77 | |
| Apr 30, 2009 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 92-76 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Los Angeles Lakers
In the 2009 NBA Playoffs, the Houston Rockets made a strong push to the second round, where they faced the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite losing star center Yao Ming to a foot injury in Game 3, the Rockets showcased their resilience and determination, pushing the series to seven games before ultimately being eliminated. Their spirited performance highlighted the depth and heart of the team, leaving a lasting impression on fans and analysts alike.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 04, 2009 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 100-92 | |
| May 06, 2009 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 111-98 | |
| May 08, 2009 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 108-94 | |
| May 10, 2009 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 99-87 | |
| May 12, 2009 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 118-78 | |
| May 14, 2009 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 95-80 | |
| May 17, 2009 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 89-70 |
Houston Rockets 2008-09 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2008-09 season for the Houston Rockets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2008 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 82-71 | |
| Oct 30, 2008 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 112-102 | |
| Nov 01, 2008 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | W 89-77 | |
| Nov 04, 2008 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 103-99 | |
| Nov 06, 2008 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 101-99 | |
| Nov 07, 2008 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 92-83 | |
| Nov 09, 2008 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 111-82 | |
| Nov 12, 2008 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 94-82 | |
| Nov 14, 2008 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 77-75 | |
| Nov 15, 2008 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | W 91-82 | |
| Nov 17, 2008 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | W 100-89 | |
| Nov 19, 2008 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 96-86 | |
| Nov 21, 2008 | @ Washington Wizards | W 103-91 | |
| Nov 22, 2008 | @ Orlando Magic | W 100-95 | |
| Nov 24, 2008 | @ Miami Heat | W 107-98 | |
| Nov 26, 2008 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 91-90 | |
| Nov 29, 2008 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 103-84 | |
| Nov 30, 2008 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 104-94 | |
| Dec 03, 2008 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 103-96 | |
| Dec 05, 2008 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 131-112 | |
| Dec 08, 2008 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 109-97 | |
| Dec 09, 2008 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 92-84 | |
| Dec 12, 2008 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 119-108 | |
| Dec 13, 2008 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 95-82 | |
| Dec 16, 2008 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 108-96 | |
| Dec 19, 2008 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 107-96 | |
| Dec 20, 2008 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 109-102 | |
| Dec 22, 2008 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 114-91 | |
| Dec 23, 2008 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 99-90 | |
| Dec 26, 2008 | @ New Orleans Hornets | L 88-79 | |
| Dec 27, 2008 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 120-115 | |
| Dec 29, 2008 | vs. Washington Wizards | L 89-87 | |
| Dec 31, 2008 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 85-81 | |
| Jan 02, 2009 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 94-73 | |
| Jan 03, 2009 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 103-100 | |
| Jan 06, 2009 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 104-96 | |
| Jan 07, 2009 | @ Boston Celtics | W 89-85 | |
| Jan 09, 2009 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | W 98-96 | |
| Jan 10, 2009 | vs. New York Knicks | W 96-76 | |
| Jan 13, 2009 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 105-100 | |
| Jan 17, 2009 | vs. Miami Heat | W 93-86 | |
| Jan 19, 2009 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 115-113 | |
| Jan 21, 2009 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 108-99 | |
| Jan 23, 2009 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 107-102 | |
| Jan 25, 2009 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 108-105 | |
| Jan 26, 2009 | @ New York Knicks | L 104-98 | |
| Jan 28, 2009 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 95-93 | |
| Jan 31, 2009 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 110-93 | |
| Feb 03, 2009 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 107-100 | |
| Feb 04, 2009 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 104-93 | |
| Feb 07, 2009 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 107-90 | |
| Feb 09, 2009 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 124-112 | |
| Feb 11, 2009 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 94-82 | |
| Feb 17, 2009 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 114-88 | |
| Feb 20, 2009 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 93-86 | |
| Feb 22, 2009 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | W 99-78 | |
| Feb 24, 2009 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 98-94 | |
| Feb 26, 2009 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 93-74 | |
| Feb 28, 2009 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 105-102 | |
| Mar 01, 2009 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 105-94 | |
| Mar 03, 2009 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 107-97 | |
| Mar 04, 2009 | @ Utah Jazz | L 101-94 | |
| Mar 06, 2009 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 116-112 | |
| Mar 08, 2009 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 93-83 | |
| Mar 09, 2009 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 97-95 | |
| Mar 11, 2009 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 102-96 | |
| Mar 13, 2009 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | W 91-86 | |
| Mar 14, 2009 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 88-85 | |
| Mar 16, 2009 | @ New Orleans Hornets | W 95-84 | |
| Mar 18, 2009 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 106-101 | |
| Mar 20, 2009 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 107-88 | |
| Mar 22, 2009 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 87-85 | |
| Mar 24, 2009 | @ Utah Jazz | L 99-86 | |
| Mar 28, 2009 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 110-93 | |
| Apr 01, 2009 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 114-109 | |
| Apr 03, 2009 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 93-81 | |
| Apr 05, 2009 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 102-88 | |
| Apr 07, 2009 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 93-83 | |
| Apr 09, 2009 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 115-98 | |
| Apr 10, 2009 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 113-109 | |
| Apr 13, 2009 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | W 86-66 | |
| Apr 15, 2009 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 95-84 |