2018–19 Houston Rockets season
The 2018–19 Houston Rockets season was the 52nd season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and their 48th in the Houston area.
| 2018–19 Houston Rockets season | |
|---|---|
Division champions | |
| Head coach | Mike D'Antoni |
| General manager | Daryl Morey |
| Owners | Tilman Fertitta |
| Arena | Toyota Center |
| Results | |
| Record | 53–29 (.646) |
| Place | Division: 1st (Southwest) Conference: 4th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | Conference Semifinals (lost to Warriors 2–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | AT&T SportsNet Southwest |
| Radio | Sportstalk 790 |
Despite early struggles in the season including an on-court altercation between rival guards Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo, injuries among its players, and losing core players including Trevor Ariza, the team made a dramatic improvement and finished as the 4th seed in the West. Most notable within the surge would be Harden's impressive play. It included his 30-point streak which started on December 8, all the way to a surprising 32 games until ending on February 25. This streak had left him 2nd for continuous 30+ points in a game, leaving Wilt Chamberlain as 1st. On March 24, against the Pelicans, they had clinched another playoff spot for the 7th straight year.
In the playoffs, the Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz in the First Round in five games. However, the Rockets would lose in six games against the two-time defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals, their fourth playoff exit against the Warriors in the last five postseasons. They previously lost to the Warriors in 2015 (conference finals), 2016 (first round), and 2018 (conference finals).