The 2018-19 Houston Rockets season was marked by both challenges and significant achievements. Under the leadership of head coach Mike D’Antoni, the Rockets finished with a 53-29 record, securing the fourth seed in the Western Conference. This performance was largely driven by the stellar play of James Harden, who averaged 36.1 points per game, leading the league in scoring and putting together a historic 32-game streak of scoring at least 30 points.
Despite dealing with early-season struggles and injuries to key players like Chris Paul and Clint Capela, the Rockets managed a strong second half, finishing the season with a 20-5 run post-All-Star break. The addition of Kenneth Faried and the mid-season acquisition of Austin Rivers provided necessary depth, complementing the team’s core.
In the playoffs, the Rockets faced the Utah Jazz in the first round, winning the series 4-1. Their playoff journey ended in the conference semifinals against the Golden State Warriors. Despite taking a 2-2 series tie back home, the Rockets were eliminated in six games. The series highlighted the team’s reliance on Harden and exposed the need for more versatile scoring options.
Overall, the season showcased Harden’s MVP-caliber performance but also underscored the team’s limitations against top-tier competition. The Rockets’ inability to advance past the Warriors for the second consecutive year prompted discussions about potential roster changes to bolster their championship aspirations.
- Regular Season Record: 53-29
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 4-1, Western Conference Semifinals: 2-4
Houston Rockets Roster and Stats for 2018-19 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| James Harden | 78 | 36.1 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 36.8 | 11 | 31.6 | 6.8 | 6.6 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 35.0 |
| Clint Capela | 67 | 16.6 | 12.7 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 11 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| Eric Gordon | 68 | 16.2 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 36.0 | 11 | 17.8 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 40.0 |
| Chris Paul | 58 | 15.6 | 4.6 | 8.2 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 35.8 | 11 | 17.0 | 6.4 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 27.0 |
| Carmelo Anthony | 10 | 13.4 | 5.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 32.8 | |||||||
| Kenneth Faried | 25 | 12.9 | 8.2 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 35.0 | 6 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| Danuel House Jr. | 39 | 9.4 | 3.6 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 41.6 | 7 | 4.9 | 3.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 25.8 |
| Gerald Green | 73 | 9.2 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 35.4 | 11 | 3.5 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 34.5 |
| Austin Rivers | 47 | 8.7 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 32.1 | 10 | 7.4 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 45.7 |
| James Ennis III | 40 | 7.3 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 36.7 | |||||||
| P.J. Tucker | 82 | 7.3 | 5.8 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 37.7 | 11 | 11.4 | 7.5 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 45.6 |
| Iman Shumpert | 20 | 4.6 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 29.6 | 8 | 3.6 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 36.4 |
| James Nunnally | 2 | 4.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 25.0 | |||||||
| Michael Carter-Williams | 16 | 4.3 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 36.8 | |||||||
| Nenê | 42 | 3.6 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 7 | 3.9 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Brandon Knight | 12 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 15.6 | |||||||
| Gary Clark | 51 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 29.7 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Zhou Qi | 1 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Isaiah Hartenstein | 28 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 33.3 | 2 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Marquese Chriss | 16 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 6.7 | |||||||
| Vince Edwards | 2 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 25.0 | |||||||
| Terrence Jones | 2 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Chris Chiozza | 7 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 40.0 | |||||||
Houston Rockets in the 2019 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Utah Jazz
In the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs, the Houston Rockets faced the Utah Jazz and emerged victorious in five games, winning the series 4-1. James Harden, the Rockets' offensive powerhouse, led the charge with his scoring prowess and playmaking ability, while the team's defense effectively stifled the Jazz's star player, Donovan Mitchell. This dominant performance set the stage for a highly anticipated matchup with the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 2019 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 122-90 | |
| Apr 17, 2019 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 118-98 | |
| Apr 20, 2019 | @ Utah Jazz | W 104-101 | |
| Apr 22, 2019 | @ Utah Jazz | L 107-91 | |
| Apr 24, 2019 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 100-93 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Golden State Warriors
In the 2019 NBA Playoffs, the Houston Rockets faced the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals, ultimately losing the series 4-2. Despite James Harden's impressive performances, the Rockets were unable to capitalize on the Warriors' temporary loss of Kevin Durant due to injury, as Stephen Curry's explosive second halves in Games 5 and 6 sealed their fate. This series highlighted the Rockets' recurring struggle to overcome the Warriors dynasty in crucial postseason matchups.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 2019 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 104-100 | |
| Apr 30, 2019 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 115-109 | |
| May 04, 2019 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 126-121 | |
| May 06, 2019 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 112-108 | |
| May 08, 2019 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 104-99 | |
| May 10, 2019 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 118-113 |
Houston Rockets 2018-19 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2018-19 season for the Houston Rockets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 2018 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | L 131-112 | |
| Oct 20, 2018 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 124-115 | |
| Oct 21, 2018 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 115-112 | |
| Oct 24, 2018 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 100-89 | |
| Oct 26, 2018 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 133-113 | |
| Oct 30, 2018 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 104-85 | |
| Nov 02, 2018 | @ Brooklyn Nets | W 119-111 | |
| Nov 03, 2018 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 96-88 | |
| Nov 05, 2018 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 98-94 | |
| Nov 08, 2018 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | L 98-80 | |
| Nov 10, 2018 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 96-89 | |
| Nov 11, 2018 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 115-103 | |
| Nov 13, 2018 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 109-99 | |
| Nov 15, 2018 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 107-86 | |
| Nov 17, 2018 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 132-112 | |
| Nov 21, 2018 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 126-124 | |
| Nov 23, 2018 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 116-111 | |
| Nov 24, 2018 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 117-108 | |
| Nov 26, 2018 | @ Washington Wizards | L 135-131 | |
| Nov 28, 2018 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 128-108 | |
| Nov 30, 2018 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 136-105 | |
| Dec 01, 2018 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 121-105 | |
| Dec 03, 2018 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 103-91 | |
| Dec 06, 2018 | @ Utah Jazz | L 118-91 | |
| Dec 08, 2018 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 107-104 | |
| Dec 11, 2018 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 111-104 | |
| Dec 13, 2018 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 126-111 | |
| Dec 15, 2018 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 105-97 | |
| Dec 17, 2018 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 102-97 | |
| Dec 19, 2018 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 136-118 | |
| Dec 20, 2018 | @ Miami Heat | L 101-99 | |
| Dec 22, 2018 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 108-101 | |
| Dec 25, 2018 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | W 113-109 | |
| Dec 27, 2018 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 127-113 | |
| Dec 29, 2018 | @ New Orleans Pelicans | W 108-104 | |
| Dec 31, 2018 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 113-101 | |
| Jan 03, 2019 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 135-134 | |
| Jan 05, 2019 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 110-101 | |
| Jan 07, 2019 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 125-113 | |
| Jan 09, 2019 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 116-109 | |
| Jan 11, 2019 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 141-113 | |
| Jan 13, 2019 | @ Orlando Magic | L 116-109 | |
| Jan 14, 2019 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 112-94 | |
| Jan 16, 2019 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | L 145-142 | |
| Jan 19, 2019 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 138-134 | |
| Jan 21, 2019 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 121-93 | |
| Jan 23, 2019 | @ New York Knicks | W 114-110 | |
| Jan 25, 2019 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 121-119 | |
| Jan 27, 2019 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 103-98 | |
| Jan 29, 2019 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | L 121-116 | |
| Feb 01, 2019 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 136-122 | |
| Feb 02, 2019 | @ Utah Jazz | W 125-98 | |
| Feb 04, 2019 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 118-110 | |
| Feb 06, 2019 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 127-101 | |
| Feb 09, 2019 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | L 117-112 | |
| Feb 11, 2019 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 120-104 | |
| Feb 13, 2019 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 121-111 | |
| Feb 21, 2019 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 111-106 | |
| Feb 23, 2019 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 118-112 | |
| Feb 25, 2019 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 119-111 | |
| Feb 27, 2019 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 118-113 | |
| Feb 28, 2019 | vs. Miami Heat | W 121-118 | |
| Mar 03, 2019 | @ Boston Celtics | W 115-104 | |
| Mar 05, 2019 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 107-95 | |
| Mar 08, 2019 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 107-91 | |
| Mar 10, 2019 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 94-93 | |
| Mar 11, 2019 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 118-106 | |
| Mar 13, 2019 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 106-104 | |
| Mar 15, 2019 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 108-102 | |
| Mar 17, 2019 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 117-102 | |
| Mar 19, 2019 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 121-105 | |
| Mar 20, 2019 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 126-125 | |
| Mar 22, 2019 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 111-105 | |
| Mar 24, 2019 | @ New Orleans Pelicans | W 113-90 | |
| Mar 26, 2019 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 108-94 | |
| Mar 28, 2019 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 112-85 | |
| Mar 30, 2019 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 119-108 | |
| Apr 02, 2019 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 130-105 | |
| Apr 03, 2019 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 135-103 | |
| Apr 05, 2019 | vs. New York Knicks | W 120-96 | |
| Apr 07, 2019 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 149-113 | |
| Apr 09, 2019 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | L 112-111 |