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ESPN’s NBA Rank panel, composed of more than 150 reporters, editors, producers, and analysts, was recently asked to rank players based on their predicted impact — both on quality and quantity, with the latter likely correlated with team success — for the 2025 playoffs.
As the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets (52-30) did have three representatives. However, their leading scorer (Jalen Green) and highest-paid player (Fred VanVleet) aren't among the 50 representatives from around the league.
Starting forwards Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson check in at No. 46 and No. 32, respectively, while All-Star center Alperen Sengun is at No. 24.
Unfortunately for the Rockets, Houston’s first-round opponent in the 2025 NBA playoffs — the No. 7 Golden State Warriors (48-34) — has three players projected a bit higher. Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Steph Curry check in at No. 29, No. 16, and No. 17, respectively.
That could make it all the more important for Houston’s superior depth — and players such as Green, VanVleet, Tari Eason, Steven Adams, and Jabari Smith Jr. who missed the top-50 cut — to outplay their counterparts outside of Golden State’s top three.
The complete list can be read here, at ESPN. Extended breakdowns for each of Houston’s three selections can be viewed below.
Like with many teams, Brooks has a contentious history with the Golden State Warriors and their fans. That history will pick up again this weekend, when Brooks — who will likely spend time guarding Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler — will try to help the young Rockets live up to their 2-seed and knock off the veteran Warriors in the first round.
Analysis by Tim Bontemps, ESPN
Thompson locked down Stephen Curry the last time these teams met on April 6, holding the veteran to a 1-of-10 shooting performance. Thompson will take on that responsibility again in this first-round series, and how he fares against the two-time MVP will go a long way toward determining Houston's fate. Offensively, Thompson needs to improve his shooting — he's 27.5% from 3-point range. But the fact that Thompson isn't afraid to take the shots that defenses allow should help open the effective rim-attacking element of his game.
Analysis by Michael C. Wright, ESPN
Sengun has been productive offensively against Draymond Green in the past, averaging 14.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists in eight matchups against the Warriors. But expect Sengun to make his most significant impact on this series on the boards, especially in Houston's double-big lineups that feature Steven Adams. With Sengun and Adams on the floor together, Houston's offensive rating is 122.0 and its defensive rating is 92.0 with a rebounding percentage of 66.4%.
Analysis by Michael C. Wright, ESPN
All games not televised on ABC will also be televised via a regional Space City Home Network broadcast featuring Houston’s own broadcast team.
More: By the numbers: Key head-to-head statistics for Rockets, Warriors in 2024-25 season
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ESPN ranks three Rockets among most impactful players of 2025 playoffs
Continue reading...
As the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets (52-30) did have three representatives. However, their leading scorer (Jalen Green) and highest-paid player (Fred VanVleet) aren't among the 50 representatives from around the league.
Starting forwards Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson check in at No. 46 and No. 32, respectively, while All-Star center Alperen Sengun is at No. 24.
Unfortunately for the Rockets, Houston’s first-round opponent in the 2025 NBA playoffs — the No. 7 Golden State Warriors (48-34) — has three players projected a bit higher. Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Steph Curry check in at No. 29, No. 16, and No. 17, respectively.
That could make it all the more important for Houston’s superior depth — and players such as Green, VanVleet, Tari Eason, Steven Adams, and Jabari Smith Jr. who missed the top-50 cut — to outplay their counterparts outside of Golden State’s top three.
The complete list can be read here, at ESPN. Extended breakdowns for each of Houston’s three selections can be viewed below.
Dillon Brooks, No. 46
Like with many teams, Brooks has a contentious history with the Golden State Warriors and their fans. That history will pick up again this weekend, when Brooks — who will likely spend time guarding Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler — will try to help the young Rockets live up to their 2-seed and knock off the veteran Warriors in the first round.
Analysis by Tim Bontemps, ESPN
Amen Thompson, No. 32
Thompson locked down Stephen Curry the last time these teams met on April 6, holding the veteran to a 1-of-10 shooting performance. Thompson will take on that responsibility again in this first-round series, and how he fares against the two-time MVP will go a long way toward determining Houston's fate. Offensively, Thompson needs to improve his shooting — he's 27.5% from 3-point range. But the fact that Thompson isn't afraid to take the shots that defenses allow should help open the effective rim-attacking element of his game.
Analysis by Michael C. Wright, ESPN
No. 24, Alperen Sengun
Sengun has been productive offensively against Draymond Green in the past, averaging 14.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists in eight matchups against the Warriors. But expect Sengun to make his most significant impact on this series on the boards, especially in Houston's double-big lineups that feature Steven Adams. With Sengun and Adams on the floor together, Houston's offensive rating is 122.0 and its defensive rating is 92.0 with a rebounding percentage of 66.4%.
Analysis by Michael C. Wright, ESPN
Rockets-Warriors Schedule, First Round of Playoffs
- Game 1: at Houston (Sunday, April 20, 8:30 Central tipoff on TNT)
- Game 2: at Houston (Wednesday, April 23, 8:30 on TNT)
- Game 3: at Golden State (Saturday, April 26, 7:30 on ABC)
- Game 4: at Golden State (Monday, April 28, 9:00 on TNT)
- Game 5, if necessary: at Houston (Wednesday, April 30, tipoff TBD)
- Game 6, if necessary: at Golden State (Friday, May 2, TBD)
- Game 7, if necessary: at Houston (Sunday, May 4, TBD)
All games not televised on ABC will also be televised via a regional Space City Home Network broadcast featuring Houston’s own broadcast team.
More: By the numbers: Key head-to-head statistics for Rockets, Warriors in 2024-25 season
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ESPN ranks three Rockets among most impactful players of 2025 playoffs
Continue reading...
