After a strong start to the 2025-26 season, Houston’s defensive rating is now in the bottom half of the NBA for December. Not coincidentally, the Rockets (16-8) currently have a losing record (3-4) for the month.Hosted by Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our latest “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the frustrations after the Rockets blew a 25-point lead in the second half versus the lowly Pelicans (6-22). Topics include the clear defensive regression; struggles to involve Kevin Durant in crunch-time possessions; and an odd downturn in the usage of Reed Sheppard.
In this roundtable episode, Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty (Editor of ClutchFans) preview the NBA’s upcoming transaction window and its potential implications for the 16-6 Rockets.December 15 is when players who signed contracts in the preceding offseason become trade eligible, so the period from Monday until the February 5 in-season deadline is among the most active on the 2025-26 calendar. Discussion topics include roster needs and potential trade targets across the board, including the likelihood of bigger-name deals (such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and James Harden) and smaller acquisitions along the lines of Keon Ellis, Chris Paul, and Ayo Dosunmu.The show also explores Houston’s potential desirability on the buyout market and the team’s long-term timeline for title contention, and specifically why those factors might make this a relatively quiet trade window for the Rockets.
Thursday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show reacts to Houston’s 115-113 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers (6-19). The Rockets are now 16-6 on the 2025-26 NBA season.Topics include a fourth-quarter takeover by Amen Thompson (12 points in the frame on perfect shooting); relatively inefficient nights from Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun; and the difficult six-game road trip ahead.This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QwnC27gxyE
At 15-6, the Rockets are now at approximately the quarter pole of their 2025-26 regular season. With that in mind, as Houston tries to chase down the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Tuesday’s podcast breaks down four key takeaways and questions surrounding the team after its first 21 games.With Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves as hosts; discussion topics on this episode include the steadying presence of Kevin Durant and an improving defense; the impact of an All-NBA leap from Alperen Sengun; inconsistent showings from Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard; and the possibility of roster moves in the weeks ahead.
The Rockets (15-5) are now No. 2 in the Western Conference standings after Friday’s blowout victory over Dillon Brooks and the Phoenix Suns. Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the highlights, including a career milestone for Kevin Durant (31,000 points) and more promising signs from Amen Thompson (game-high 31 points, +33).This episode can also be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoD_duJJm0U
After routing the Jazz one day earlier, the Rockets fell short on night two of a road back-to-back. For Houston (13-5), Monday’s setback was just its third loss in 16 games.On the “ClutchFans Live” podcast show, Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty break down the key storylines, including defensive and rebounding issues that surfaced once Steven Adams (rest) was held out. With injuries and absences piling up, the prospect of more back-to-backs in the days and weeks ahead could prove daunting.This episode can also be viewed in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clutchfansDOTnet/streams
The Rockets closed out November with Sunday’s 129-101 victory at Utah, which gives Houston (13-4) 13 wins in its last 15 games, overall.Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Sunday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways. Topics include Kevin Durant’s uber-efficient return; a much-improved defense; and an apparent promotion to the starting lineup for Reed Sheppard.
With All-Star forward Kevin Durant sidelined for personal reasons, Amen Thompson (28 points, 8 assists) picked up the slack in Houston’s 114-92 victory at Phoenix. The Rockets (11-4) have now won 11 of their last 13 contests, overall, while the Suns (11-7) lost for just the second time in 10 games.Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Monday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways, including big nights from Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Aaron Holiday.
With All-Star forward Kevin Durant missing two games for personal reasons, second-year guard Reed Sheppard is in line for an expanded role with the Rockets (10-4), and potentially even a starting assignment. Featuring Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Monday’s episode breaks down all the implications of Sheppard’s recent rise. Other topics include insight on Houston’s close loss to Denver; slightly underwhelming efficiency numbers from Durant; and the updated injury outlooks for Tari Eason (oblique) and Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle).
Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Wednesday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down Houston’s impressive 114-104 victory at Cleveland. The Rockets (10-3) have won five straight games and 10 of their last 11, overall, and the big story in this one was 26 combined fourth-quarter points from Aaron Holiday (!!!) and Alperen Sengun.Led by an All-Star duo in Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers (10-6) continue to rank third in the Eastern Conference and had the NBA’s second-best record (64-18) last season.This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23QO3Nn6djE
In a “gutsy” overtime victory over Orlando, Houston’s All-Star duo of Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun combined for 65 points and several massive buckets in crunch time. Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Sunday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways for the surging Rockets (9-3), who have now won nine of their last 10 games, overall.The episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l1OggvjMXw
In Friday night’s episode, Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty (ClutchFans) go live with full postgame reaction after Houston’s 140-116 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Kevin Durant (30 points, +37) and Alperen Sengun (25 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, four made 3-pointers) were among the clear standouts.The Rockets (8-3) have now won eight of their last nine games, overall.This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKd1RulbrM0
Featuring hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, our latest full show breaks down the highs and lows of Houston’s 6-3 start to its 2025-26 regular season. Tuesday officially marks three weeks since the NBA’s Oct. 21 opener, and the Rockets — who have won six of their last seven games, overall — are now more than 10% of their way through the season.The discussion includes grades for all nine rotation players and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, along with insight on a brilliant start by Alperen Sengun and inconsistency from Amen Thompson.
In Houston’s most impressive win of the 2025-26 season to date, Kevin Durant (31 points, 7 assists) and Alperen Sengun (23 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists) were incredible down the stretch as the Rockets stormed back from a 14-point deficit on the road. Houston is now 6-3 on the season, while Milwaukee is 6-4.In Sunday’s postgame show, Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty break down all the highlights versus Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, including the huge bench spark provided by Reed Sheppard (16 points, 4 steals) and whether he could soon push for a starting role.This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMao3ZdviME
The five-game winning streak for the Rockets (5-3) is now history after Friday’s 121-110 loss to the Spurs (6-2). The in-state rivalry game served as the opener of Emirates NBA Cup 2025 play for both teams.Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Friday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways, including how San Antonio crushed Houston off of turnovers (33 points off 23 giveaways) and subpar defensive rebounding (15 offensive boards for the home team).The show also highlights a relatively encouraging night for Reed Sheppard (16 points, 6 assists, 60% FG), albeit with some defensive miscues late in the game.
The Rockets (5-2) have now won five straight games, and Amen Thompson (28 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals) was the big story in their latest win at Memphis. Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Wednesday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show breaks down what we learned after a dominant showing against the Grizzlies.This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrWXL_SinRk
In an in-state rivalry matchup, the Rockets shot the ball poorly at home amid a rare off night for Kevin Durant. Yet, thanks to huge games by Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, Houston survived it versus the short-handed Dallas Mavericks (2-5).For Monday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show, Dave Hardisty and Ben DuBose recap what we learned at Toyota Center, as well as many of the key takeaways moving forward. The Rockets (4-2) have now won four straight games, overall.The episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmrO20T6uBM
Saturday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show breaks down Houston’s dominant 128-101 victory in Boston. The Rockets (3-2) have now won three straight games, overall, all by a margin of at least 18 points.
With Wednesday’s 139-121 victory at Toronto, the Rockets (2-2) secured their first winning streak of the 2025-26 campaign and are now NBA’s most efficient offense of the young season.Featuring Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty, the “ClutchFans Live” show recaps all the key storylines. Topics include big scoring nights from Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr.; a dominant rebounding performance, led by interior strength from Steven Adams and Alperen Sengun; and potential concerns on defense (where the Rockets currently rank in the bottom half of the league).This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C4F5xTVeKc
The Rockets (1-2) secured their first win of the 2025-26 season with a home blowout of the Brooklyn Nets. With Dave Hardisty and Ben DuBose as hosts, Monday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show explores all the key storylines.Topics include Tari Eason’s career shooting night; promising signs from Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard at point guard; and Ime Udoka’s decision to start Josh Okogie in place of Steven Adams.The episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK6DcRVY8zE