Rockets, with return of VanVleet, hope to make 'real noise'

Houston sits at 52‑30, good for fifth in the Western Conference and sixth in the league’s power rankings. The team’s net rating of +5.2 and a 9‑1 record in its last ten games underline a strong finish to the season, even as it carries a one‑game winning streak into the offseason.

The return of point guard Fred VanVleet, who wears jersey #5, restores the Rockets’ backcourt after a day‑to‑day injury spell. With VanVleet back at the helm, Houston hopes to translate its solid statistical profile into more consistent on‑court performance and make the “real noise” it seeks in the upcoming campaign.