The energy at the Toyota Center feels different lately. If you’ve been watching this team for the last few years, you know the vibe used to be "talented but chaotic." We saw a lot of highlights and not enough wins. But honestly, the Houston Rockets starting lineup has morphed into something that finally makes sense, even if Ime Udoka still likes to mess with our heads during the fourth quarter.
It's not just about young guys running fast anymore. By mid-January 2026, this group has found a balance between elite veteran scoring and high-motor youth.
The Unlikely Anchor: Kevin Durant in Space City
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. When the trade went down to bring Kevin Durant to Houston in July 2025, half the league thought it was a "last dance" move for a rebuilding team. They were wrong. KD isn’t just a starter; he’s the gravity that makes everything else work.
He's currently putting up 26.1 points per game. That’s at age 37. It’s kinda ridiculous. Because he draws so much attention on the wing, the driving lanes for guys like Amen Thompson have opened up in a way we haven't seen since the Harden era.
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The 2026 Rockets Projected Rotation
Right now, the most common look we see from Udoka involves a mix of length and playmaking.
- Point Guard: Amen Thompson
- Shooting Guard: Kevin Durant (He plays everywhere, basically)
- Small Forward: Tari Eason (When healthy)
- Power Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
This lineup is massive. You've got four guys over 6'7" on the floor at almost all times. That's why the Rockets are currently sitting at 1st in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage. They just bully people.
Amen Thompson's Ascension
Amen is no longer just a "project." He's averaging nearly 19 points and 8 rebounds. The jump shot still isn't perfect—defenses will still sag off him occasionally—but his ability to get to the rim is elite. Watching him and Alperen Sengun run a high post split action is beautiful.
Sengun is still the hub. He’s putting up roughly 21.7 points and 6.6 assists per game. He’s the Turkish magician, but with more muscle now. People used to call him "Baby Jokic" as a joke, but the way he manipulates the defense from the elbow? It's not a joke anymore.
The Reed Sheppard Dilemma
You've probably noticed some tension in the rotation. Reed Sheppard, the #3 pick from 2024, is the best shooter on the roster. Period. Statistically, when Sheppard is on the floor with the starters, the Rockets have a net rating of +12.5.
But Udoka is old school. He still leans on guys like Aaron Holiday or JD Davison when he wants "toughness." We saw it against Chicago recently where Sheppard sat while Davison played crunch-time minutes. It drives the fans crazy.
Sheppard is averaging 12.9 points off the bench, but everyone knows he’s the future at the two-guard spot. The real question is when Udoka decides his defense is "good enough" to handle 35 minutes a night.
Why the Defense is Different Now
In 2024, the Rockets were "trying" to play defense. In 2026, they are a defensive team.
Tari Eason is the soul of that. When he's in the starting unit, he's the "connector." He switches 1 through 5 and makes life miserable for opposing stars.
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The numbers are wild:
- Defensive Rating: 113.6 (Top 10 in the league)
- Offensive Rebounding: 20.1 per game (League leader)
- Net Rating: +8.1
They aren't just winning; they're wearing teams out.
What Most People Get Wrong About Jabari Smith Jr.
There was a narrative that Jabari was a "3-and-D" bust because he wasn't a 25-point scorer. That’s such a narrow way to look at him. In this current Houston Rockets starting lineup, he’s the ultimate "spacer."
He doesn't need the ball to be effective. He clears the lane for Sengun and keeps the defense honest for KD. He's also turned into a legitimate rim protector. He might only average 15 points, but the Rockets are significantly worse when he’s on the bench. He's the glue.
Managing the Bench and Injuries
The depth is actually a problem—a good one. You have Steven Adams and Clint Capela eating up backup center minutes. That’s a lot of veteran beef in the paint. Then you have guys like Josh Okogie and Dorian Finney-Smith who can fill in whenever Eason's ankle acts up.
One thing to watch: Fred VanVleet's role. With his knee injury keeping him sidelined until the summer of 2026, the keys have been handed entirely to the kids. It’s Amen’s team now, under KD’s supervision.
Actionable Insights for Rockets Fans
If you're following the team this season or looking at the betting lines, keep these factors in mind:
- Watch the First Quarter Rebounding: If Houston is winning the glass early, they almost always win the game. Their identity is built on second-chance points.
- Monitor the Sheppard/Holiday Minutes: When Sheppard plays more than 25 minutes, the Rockets' offensive efficiency skyrockets.
- The KD Workload: Pay attention to back-to-backs. Udoka has been resting Durant more frequently to keep him fresh for the April push.
- The Sengun/Amen Synergy: Their chemistry in the half-court is the barometer for the offense. If they are turning the ball over (they average about 6 combined), the Rockets struggle to close games.
The rebuild is over. The "Phase 2" talk from the front office was real. This lineup has the star power and the grit to actually make noise in the Western Conference playoffs.