The preseason score is 26% and the offensive efficiency ranks first in the league! Coupled with the basic defense, the Rockets have really taken off?

Translator's Note: This article was originally published in "USA Today" and the author is BenDuBose. The data in the article are as of the time of publication of the original article (October 17, local time). The opinions in the article have nothing to do with the translator and the platform.

The Houston Rockets (4 wins and 0 losses) led the league in points per game and offensive efficiency in the preseason. Their overall true shooting percentage (62.0%) ranked third in the league. They are one of only three teams in the league to remain undefeated.

With a record of 4 wins and 0 losses, the Houston Rockets successfully concluded their preseason journey for the 2025-26 season. The only other two undefeated teams among the thirty teams in the league are the Orlando Magic and the San Antonio Spurs. The Rockets' defense has struggled at times, but that's probably nothing to worry about in a preseason game where results don't matter. After all, the Rockets were one of the top five defensive efficiency teams in the 2024-25 regular season, and coach Uduka was highly regarded for his ability to build a defensive system.

What really stands out, however, especially for a team that has struggled in the half-court offense in the past, is the elite level of offensive firepower they've shown this season. In this preseason, the Rockets' offensive efficiency was as high as 123.2 (points per 100 possessions), and their average total points per game reached 130.8, both of which topped the league. Their overall true shooting percentage reached 62.0%, ranking third in the league, a significant improvement from last season's preseason of 55.3% (ranked 24th).

Even if we take into account that the intensity of preseason games is generally low, and it can even be said to lack real confrontation intensity, looking back at the preseason of the 2024-25 season, the Rockets' final true shooting percentage was 56.7% and the offensive efficiency value was 112.9. So by any measure, this year's numbers represent a huge leap forward.

Among those players who averaged at least 15 minutes per game, key statistics include:

Jabari Smith Jr. (played in three games, net rating +16.5): averaged 17.7 points, 4.7 rebounds in 23.3 minutes per game; shot 48.6% from the field, 47.4% from three-point range, 90.9% from the free throw line, and a true shooting percentage of 66.5%.

Kevin Durant (played in two games, net rating +15.7): averaged 17.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game; shooting rate was 56.5%, three-point shooting rate was 20.0%, free throw shooting rate was 88.9%, and true shooting rate was 64.9%.

Amen Thompson (played in three games, net rating +8.4): averaged 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.7 turnovers, and 1.3 steals in 25.2 minutes per game; shooting rate was 56.3%, three-point shooting rate was as high as 66.7%, free throw shooting rate was 91.7%, and true shooting rate was 68.4%.

Reed Shepard (played in four games, net rating +4.8): averaged 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.8 turnovers, and contributed 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks in 23.1 minutes per game; shooting 51.2% from the field, 40.7% from three-point range, 83.3% from free throw, and 65.7% true shooting.

Alperon-Shen Kyung (played in three games, net rating +21.7): averaged 13.3 points, 8.7 assists, 7.0 assists, 24.1 minutes per game. 3 rebounds, 2.7 turnovers, and 2.0 steals; field goal percentage was 52.0%, three-point shooting percentage was 50.0%, free throw percentage was 100%, and true shooting percentage reached 66.1%.

Josh Okogie (played in four games, net rating -4.1): averaged 13.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals in 20.4 minutes per game; shooting 55.6% from the field, 40.0% from the three-point range, 81.8% from the free throw line, and 70.9% true shooting.

Tari Eason (played in three games, net rating +0.7): averaged 12.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 19.4 minutes per game; shooting 53.3% from the field, 11.1% from the three-point range, 71.4% from the free throw line, and 57.4% from the field.

JD Davison (played in four games, net rating +13.3): Averaged 10.5 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 21.0 minutes per game; shooting 48.4% from the field, 47.1% from the three-point range, 57.1% from the free throw line, and 61.6% from the field.

Aaron Holiday (played in four games, net rating +6.4): averaged 10.5 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 turnovers in 21.6 minutes per game; shooting rate was 35.9%, three-point shooting rate was 26.1%, free throw shooting rate was 100%, and true shooting rate was 49.4%.

Clint Capela (played in three games, net rating -7.2): averaged 7.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per game; shooting percentage was 62.5%, free throw percentage was 50.0%, and true shooting percentage was 61.9%.

Jeff Green (played in four games, net rating +17.0): Averaged 7.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game; shot 26.9% from the field, 23.5% from the three-point range, 100% from the free throw line, and 46.1% from the true field goal percentage.

Steven Adams (played in two games, net rating +21.5): averaged 5.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 20.2 minutes per game; shooting rate 62.5%, true shooting rate 57.1%.

It is worth noting that the Rockets' free throw shooting rate in the preseason was as high as 85.2%, also leading the league. In this data, the Rockets ranked last in the 2024-25 regular season (30th, only 73.8%), and only ranked second to last (68.7%) in the last preseason. So, at least in the specific area of ​​free throw shooting, we can confirm that there is indeed a data carryover effect from the preseason to the regular season. As for whether this will happen again in the 2025-26 season, time will tell.

Overall, the biggest question is how much of this huge increase in offensive efficiency is sustainable. Of course, in the upcoming regular season, the opponent's defense will be more focused and will send out better defensive players more frequently for targeted restrictions.

However, Kevin Durant, as a newly joined player, still maintains an All-Star level competitive status. And young players like Shen Jing, Smith, Thompson and Sheppard are currently at a critical stage in their careers where they are likely to achieve cross-season growth. Therefore, compared with the unsatisfactory offensive data last season, these obvious improvements in the offensive end this season are entirely possible based on the team's stronger lineup configuration. It is entirely possible that it is not an accident, but a reflection of the team's true strength.

The answer will be officially revealed starting this Tuesday, because on that day, the Rockets will travel to Oklahoma City to start their new journey of the 2025-26 regular season.