Houston Rockets Tickets

Houston Rockets History

The Rockets joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1967, when they were located in San Diego. They moved to Houston in 1971 and had a string of playoff appearances, but only made it past the second round once. Until 1984, that is — when the Rockets selected future Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon with the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. In just his second season, Olajuwon led the Rockets to an NBA Finals appearance, where they lost to the Boston Celtics in six games. That was part of a stretch in which the Rockets made the playoffs 15 times in 16 years.

The high point of Olajuwon's career came in the 1993–94 and 1994–95 seasons, when he led the Rockets to the franchise's only two NBA Championships. In 1993–94, the Rockets needed seven games to defeat the Phoenix Suns in the second round, then came back from a 3-2 deficit in the NBA Finals to defeat the New York Knicks in seven games. Olajuwon won league MVP, Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year that season.

The Rockets followed that by winning another title the next year. This time, they coasted through the NBA Finals, sweeping the Orlando Magic — led by future Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal — in four games.

The Rockets have not been back to the NBA Finals since 1995, but they have maintained a steady stream of success. After acquiring James Harden in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012, they made the playoffs every season until 2020–21. The Rockets won the Southwest Division in 2019–20, but lost in the Western Conference Semifinals to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Houston Rockets Team Info

Conference: Western
Division: Southwest
Year Founded: 1967
Team Colors: Red, Black, Gray, Anthracite, White
Team Rivals: San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz

Houston Rockets at Toyota Center

The Toyota Center has been the home of the Houston Rockets since its construction was completed in 2003. The Rockets originally shared the arena with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League and the Houston Comets of the WNBA, but they've had the building to themselves since 2013.

The Toyota Center provides entertaining options for people of all ages. Fans can enjoy skee-ball, pop-a-shot and a miniature basketball court for children. Stations are provided where fans can make their own signs or get their face painted. Fans also can take a walk down memory lane with replica lockers that display jerseys, shoes, photos and stats of the most legendary players of the Rockets franchise.