Kelly Iko

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Kelly Iko

In the final week of the 2024-25 regular season, the Western Conference seeding is still a game of musical chairs, with 2.5 games separating third from eighth place before Minnesota and Memphis play Thursday night. Because of that, the Houston Rockets (52-28) aren't sure who their first-round opponent will be. NBA writers Kelly Iko, Jon Krawczynski, Law Murray and Will Guillory sat down for a roundtable discussion about the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies.

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Kelly Iko

HOUSTON - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the first player to emerge in the hallway after the halftime buzzer, visibly disappointed as he headed for the locker room. Not long after him, third-year forward Jalen Williams led the conglomerate of Oklahoma City Thunder players and coaches, none of whom uttered a word. Alex Caruso clapped enthusiastically, perhaps hoping to lift his teammates' spirits, but the overwhelming silence was deafening.

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Kelly Iko

PHOENIX - Some 82 minutes before tipoff in the desert, Rockets forward Jeff Green and Suns forward Kevin Durant were warming up on either side of PHX Arena. The two veterans, who share a close bond from their time together in Seattle, Oklahoma City and Brooklyn, are at different stages of their careers - Durant still among the NBA 's elite and Green a role player. Despite a left ankle sprain that has now sidelined Durant, the longevity of their careers is to be celebrated.

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Kelly Iko

The last time the Houston Rockets played a playoff game - 1,663 days ago, to be exact - coach Ime Udoka was still an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers. Jalen Green had just become the first player to join the G League Ignite, Amen Thompson had just won a Florida state high school championship, and Alperen Şengün had just signed a multiyear contract with Turkish club Beşiktaş.

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Kelly Iko

LOS ANGELES - There's a portion of Dillon Brooks' pregame routine that has little to do with game action prep and everything to do with the mental aspect of basketball. Before every warmup, at least six or seven player development coaches and trainers will form a semi-circle around Brooks, who stands directly under the basket.