The 2017-18 Houston Rockets season was a remarkable campaign, marking one of the franchise’s most successful runs. Under the leadership of head coach Mike D’Antoni, the Rockets finished with an impressive 65-17 record, the best in the NBA that year and the best in franchise history. This achievement secured them the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
James Harden, the team’s star player, delivered an MVP-winning performance throughout the season. He averaged 30.4 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game, establishing himself as one of the league’s most dominant offensive forces. The addition of Chris Paul in the offseason proved pivotal, as the veteran point guard provided leadership and experience, complementing Harden’s playmaking abilities.
The Rockets’ style of play was characterized by their reliance on the three-point shot and fast-paced offense, an approach that made them one of the most formidable teams in the league. Defensively, they also showed significant improvement, with Clint Capela anchoring the paint and providing shot-blocking prowess.
In the playoffs, the Rockets progressed to the Western Conference Finals, where they faced the Golden State Warriors. Despite taking a 3-2 series lead, the Rockets were unable to close out the series, falling in seven games. The absence of Chris Paul in the final two games due to injury was a critical factor in their narrow defeat. Nonetheless, the season was a testament to the Rockets’ potential and set a high bar for future success.
- Regular Season Record: 65-17
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 4-1, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Western Conference Finals: 3-4
Houston Rockets Roster and Stats for 2017-18 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| James Harden | 72 | 30.4 | 5.4 | 8.8 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 36.7 | 17 | 28.6 | 5.2 | 6.8 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 29.9 |
| Chris Paul | 58 | 18.6 | 5.4 | 7.9 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 38.0 | 15 | 21.1 | 5.9 | 5.8 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 37.4 |
| Eric Gordon | 69 | 18.0 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 35.9 | 17 | 15.4 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 33.1 |
| Clint Capela | 74 | 13.9 | 10.8 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 17 | 12.7 | 11.6 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 0.0 |
| Gerald Green | 41 | 12.1 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 36.9 | 17 | 6.3 | 2.9 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 37.5 |
| Trevor Ariza | 67 | 11.7 | 4.4 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 36.8 | 17 | 8.8 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 28.6 |
| Ryan Anderson | 66 | 9.3 | 5.0 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 38.6 | 11 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 33.3 |
| Aaron Jackson | 1 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 25.0 | 7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Luc Mbah a Moute | 61 | 7.5 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 36.4 | 9 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 20.0 |
| Nenê | 52 | 6.5 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 11 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| P.J. Tucker | 82 | 6.1 | 5.6 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 37.1 | 17 | 8.9 | 6.5 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 46.7 |
| Joe Johnson | 23 | 6.0 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 27.9 | 8 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Chinanu Onuaku | 1 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Brandan Wright | 1 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| R.J. Hunter | 5 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 21.4 | |||||||
| Tarik Black | 51 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 9.1 | 7 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Bobby Brown | 20 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 27.5 | |||||||
| Briante Weber | 13 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 44.4 | |||||||
| Tim Quarterman | 3 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Markel Brown | 4 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 | |||||||
| Troy Williams | 4 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Zhou Qi | 18 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 10.5 | 3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Demetrius Jackson | 12 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Isaiah Canaan | 1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Houston Rockets in the 2018 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
In the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs, the Houston Rockets, led by MVP James Harden, showcased their dominance by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. The Rockets' high-powered offense, combined with their defensive tenacity, highlighted their status as the top seed in the Western Conference. Harden's stellar performances, including a 44-point outing in Game 1, set the tone for Houston's playoff aspirations.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15, 2018 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 104-101 | |
| Apr 18, 2018 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 102-82 | |
| Apr 21, 2018 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 121-105 | |
| Apr 23, 2018 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 119-100 | |
| Apr 25, 2018 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 122-104 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Utah Jazz
In the second round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs, the Houston Rockets, led by MVP James Harden and veteran point guard Chris Paul, showcased their offensive prowess and defensive tenacity against the Utah Jazz. The Rockets won the series 4-1, effectively neutralizing the Jazz's star rookie Donovan Mitchell and exploiting mismatches with their dynamic backcourt and versatile forwards. This victory propelled Houston to the Western Conference Finals, highlighting their status as formidable contenders for the championship.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 2018 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 110-96 | |
| May 02, 2018 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 116-108 | |
| May 04, 2018 | @ Utah Jazz | W 113-92 | |
| May 06, 2018 | @ Utah Jazz | W 100-87 | |
| May 08, 2018 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 112-102 |
2018 Conference Championship vs. Golden State Warriors
In the 2018 NBA Playoffs, the Houston Rockets reached the Western Conference Finals, facing the Golden State Warriors in a highly anticipated showdown. Despite holding a 3-2 series lead, the Rockets were hampered by Chris Paul's hamstring injury and ultimately fell in seven games, missing a record 27 consecutive three-point attempts in Game 7. This series highlighted the Rockets' formidable offensive strategy under Mike D'Antoni but underscored the importance of health and depth in playoff success.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2018 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 119-106 | |
| May 16, 2018 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 127-105 | |
| May 20, 2018 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 126-85 | |
| May 22, 2018 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 95-92 | |
| May 24, 2018 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 98-94 | |
| May 26, 2018 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 115-86 | |
| May 28, 2018 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 101-92 |
Houston Rockets 2017-18 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2017-18 season for the Houston Rockets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 2017 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 122-121 | |
| Oct 18, 2017 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 105-100 | |
| Oct 21, 2017 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 107-91 | |
| Oct 23, 2017 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | L 98-90 | |
| Oct 25, 2017 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 105-104 | |
| Oct 27, 2017 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 109-93 | |
| Oct 28, 2017 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 103-89 | |
| Oct 30, 2017 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 115-107 | |
| Nov 01, 2017 | @ New York Knicks | W 119-97 | |
| Nov 03, 2017 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 119-104 | |
| Nov 05, 2017 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 137-110 | |
| Nov 09, 2017 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 117-113 | |
| Nov 11, 2017 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 111-96 | |
| Nov 12, 2017 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 118-95 | |
| Nov 14, 2017 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 129-113 | |
| Nov 16, 2017 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 142-116 | |
| Nov 18, 2017 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 105-83 | |
| Nov 22, 2017 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 125-95 | |
| Nov 25, 2017 | vs. New York Knicks | W 117-102 | |
| Nov 27, 2017 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | W 117-103 | |
| Nov 29, 2017 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 118-97 | |
| Dec 03, 2017 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 118-95 | |
| Dec 07, 2017 | @ Utah Jazz | W 112-101 | |
| Dec 09, 2017 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 124-117 | |
| Dec 11, 2017 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | W 130-123 | |
| Dec 13, 2017 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 108-96 | |
| Dec 15, 2017 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 124-109 | |
| Dec 16, 2017 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 115-111 | |
| Dec 18, 2017 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 120-99 | |
| Dec 20, 2017 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 122-116 | |
| Dec 22, 2017 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 128-118 | |
| Dec 25, 2017 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | L 112-107 | |
| Dec 28, 2017 | @ Boston Celtics | L 99-98 | |
| Dec 29, 2017 | @ Washington Wizards | L 121-103 | |
| Dec 31, 2017 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 148-142 | |
| Jan 03, 2018 | @ Orlando Magic | W 116-98 | |
| Jan 04, 2018 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 124-114 | |
| Jan 06, 2018 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 108-101 | |
| Jan 08, 2018 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 116-107 | |
| Jan 10, 2018 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 121-112 | |
| Jan 12, 2018 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 112-95 | |
| Jan 15, 2018 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 113-102 | |
| Jan 18, 2018 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 116-98 | |
| Jan 20, 2018 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 116-108 | |
| Jan 22, 2018 | vs. Miami Heat | W 99-90 | |
| Jan 24, 2018 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 104-97 | |
| Jan 26, 2018 | @ New Orleans Pelicans | L 115-113 | |
| Jan 28, 2018 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 113-102 | |
| Jan 30, 2018 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 114-107 | |
| Feb 01, 2018 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 102-91 | |
| Feb 03, 2018 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 120-88 | |
| Feb 06, 2018 | @ Brooklyn Nets | W 123-113 | |
| Feb 07, 2018 | @ Miami Heat | W 109-101 | |
| Feb 09, 2018 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 130-104 | |
| Feb 11, 2018 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 104-97 | |
| Feb 13, 2018 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 126-108 | |
| Feb 14, 2018 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 100-91 | |
| Feb 23, 2018 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 120-102 | |
| Feb 25, 2018 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 119-114 | |
| Feb 26, 2018 | @ Utah Jazz | W 96-85 | |
| Feb 28, 2018 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 105-92 | |
| Mar 03, 2018 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 123-120 | |
| Mar 06, 2018 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | W 122-112 | |
| Mar 07, 2018 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 110-99 | |
| Mar 09, 2018 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 108-105 | |
| Mar 11, 2018 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 105-82 | |
| Mar 12, 2018 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 109-93 | |
| Mar 15, 2018 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 101-96 | |
| Mar 17, 2018 | @ New Orleans Pelicans | W 107-101 | |
| Mar 18, 2018 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 129-120 | |
| Mar 20, 2018 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 115-111 | |
| Mar 22, 2018 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 100-96 | |
| Mar 24, 2018 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | W 114-91 | |
| Mar 25, 2018 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 118-99 | |
| Mar 27, 2018 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 118-86 | |
| Mar 30, 2018 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 104-103 | |
| Apr 01, 2018 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 100-83 | |
| Apr 03, 2018 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 120-104 | |
| Apr 05, 2018 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 96-94 | |
| Apr 07, 2018 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | L 108-102 | |
| Apr 10, 2018 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 105-99 | |
| Apr 11, 2018 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 96-83 |