Rockets LaunchPod

Rockets LaunchPod

Ben DuBose, longtime Rockets media member, writer, and podcast host, discusses the 2025-26 Rockets season with Paulo Alves and special guests. Basketball topics include the performance of star players such as Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun; potential transactions in 2025 and beyond; weekly game recaps; and much more.

Episodes

March 22, 2026 33 mins
In perhaps the most memorable game yet of Houston’s 2025-26 season, Amen Thompson hit a game-winning tip shot at the buzzer as the Rockets rallied past Miami. At 43-27, Houston remains at No. 4 in the tightly packed Western Conference standings, which would put the Rockets in line to hold home-court advantage in at least one round of the 2026 playoffs.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Saturday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame sho...
Mark as Played
After two ugly losses in three games, the Rockets (39-24) have fallen back to No. 4 in the Western Conference and are close to falling out of the top four altogether — which would mean starting the 2026 playoffs on the road.

So, what should Houston fans take away after a pair of concerning defeats to San Antonio and Golden State? Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down the key takeaways, including signs of regression from Alperen Seng...
Mark as Played
With another strong showing in Monday’s victory at Washington, second-year guard Reed Sheppard is clearly making a push to start and finish more games. Houston (38-22) is now 5-2 since the All-Star break while continuing to hold the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference standings.

Featuring Ben DuBose, ClutchFans’ Dave Hardisty, and Michael Shapiro of Chron.com, our Rockets-Wizards postgame show reacts to all the key storylines. Topi...
Mark as Played
Even after losing Saturday’s game at Miami, the Rockets (37-22) remain at No. 3 in the Western Conference standings. When factoring in widespread injuries throughout Houston’s roster, things could certainly be a lot worse.

Yet, even with Kevin Durant in All-NBA form, there are still several questions to answer as the Rockets embark upon the final weeks of the regular season and what they hope is an extended run in the 2026 playoffs....
Mark as Played
Kevin Durant, burner or not, was scorching (35 points, 70% FG) in Houston’s 105-101 victory at Charlotte. With the win, the Rockets (34-20) moved up to the No. 3 spot in the tightly packed Western Conference standings.

Featuring Ben DuBose, Dave Hardisty, and Michael Shapiro of Chron.com, Thursday night’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show reacts to all the key takeaways.

Discussion topics include Durant setting the right tone; promisin...
Mark as Played
The Rockets entered the NBA’s 2026 All-Star break at 33-20 and No. 4 in the Western Conference standings, and they exit with something of a scandal on their hands.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Wednesday’s episode breaks down the alleged Kevin Durant “burner” controversy, along with reasons for on-court optimism heading into the final 29 games of the regular season.

The show also looks ahead to Houston’s probable run in the 2...
Mark as Played
Houston didn’t make a move at Thursday’s in-season trade deadline, but the Rockets did get a much-needed victory in Saturday’s 112-106 win at Oklahoma City.

For the Rockets, it's their first win of 2025-26 against the defending NBA champs. Houston (32-19) remains at No. 4 in the Western Conference standings, while the top-seeded Thunder (40-13) continue to own the league’s best record.

Featuring Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hard...
Mark as Played
The NBA’s in-season trade deadline is this Thursday, and the Rockets are 8-2 in their last 10 games.

So, is Houston (31-17, No. 4 in 2025-26 Western Conference) more or less likely to make a move? In our latest full show, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down the pros and cons, including maximizing the Kevin Durant window while ensuring that the 2026-27 team is still set up for success.
Mark as Played
On a relative off night for Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, it was two of Houston’s emerging talents — Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. — who made the difference in Saturday’s close win over Dallas.

With the victory, the Rockets (30-17) enter February at No. 4 in the Western Conference standings.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame show reacts to all the key storylines from an ABC primetime showd...
Mark as Played
After going 0-3 in December on the second game of back-to-backs, the Rockets are 3-0 in January — and elite performances by 37-year-old Kevin Durant continue to be the biggest reason.

With Thursday’s win at Atlanta, Houston (29-17) remains at No. 4 in the Western Conference.

Hosted by Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame recap breaks down all the key takeaways. Topics include a strong defensive showing against...
Mark as Played
As the second half of their regular season begins, the Rockets are 15-3 at home and 12-13 on the road. But their latest road win, which came Friday at Detroit on night two of a back-to-back, was perhaps their most impressive of the entire 2025-26 campaign.

The Rockets (27-16) and Pistons (32-11) remain at No. 4 and No. 1, respectively, in the Western and Eastern Conference standings.

Hosted by Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Friday’s “...
Mark as Played
After a prolonged stretch of mediocrity, the Rockets (26-15) completed their recent homestand at 4-1, punctuated by a statement win over a key Western Conference rival.

By defeating San Antonio (30-14), Houston moved up to the No. 4 spot in the West standings, and the Rockets only trail the second-seeded Spurs by a game in the loss column.

So, have the Rockets finally turned a corner, and are they a legitimate contender? In Thursday’...
Mark as Played
Featuring Ben DuBose, Dave Hardisty (ClutchFans), and Adam Clanton (SportsTalk 790), Wednesday’s Rockets-Spurs game recap breaks down Houston’s 111-106 victory over its in-state divisional rival.

With the win, Houston (26-15, No. 4 in Western Conference) is only a game back in the loss column of second-seeded San Antonio (30-14).

Discussion topics include efficient and clutch showings from Reed Sheppard (21 points) and Jabari Smith J...
Mark as Played
Jabari Smith Jr. finished with a season-high 32 points and seven 3-point makes on Sunday, leading Houston (25-15) to a nine-point victory over New Orleans (10-35). However, veteran center Steven Adams was lost to an ankle injury, which appeared serious at the time.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” show offers postgame reaction from Toyota Center, where the Rockets are now 14-3 this season.

Discussion topi...
Mark as Played
In a nationally televised showdown against the defending NBA champions, Oklahoma City’s defense suffocated the Rockets in a 111-91 victory. Houston fell to 23-15 and remains at No. 6 in the Western Conference, while the Thunder hold the league’s best record at 35-7.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” show offers postgame reaction to Thursday’s letdown at Toyota Center. Topics include a sustained shooting s...
Mark as Played
After three dreadful shooting games — all road losses for the Rockets — from Jabari Smith Jr., Houston’s fourth-year forward finally broke out in Tuesday’s 119-113 win over the Chicago Bulls. The Rockets (23-14) are now 12-2 in home games this season, with 12 wins in their last 13 games at Toyota Center.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways from Houston’s lates...
Mark as Played
After a brilliant 13-4 start to the 2025-26 season, the Rockets (22-12) went just 9-8 in their second 17-game sample. With Houston now at No. 6 in the Western Conference standings, is it time for fans to recalibrate their expectations?

In Friday’s full show, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves explore that question and numerous other January 2026 storylines surrounding the Rockets. Discussion topics include the role of Alperen Sengun’s absen...
Mark as Played
Thanks to Kevin Durant’s last-second dagger versus Phoenix, the Rockets (22-11) have now five of six games and are 11-1 in their last 12 home games at Toyota Center.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Monday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways from Houston’s third consecutive victory over the Suns (21-15).

Discussion topics include the healthy return of Steven Adams (11 rebounds); frustrating laps...
Mark as Played
With a New Year’s Day blowout in Brooklyn, the Rockets (21-10) have now won four straight games. Thursday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show— featuring Ben DuBose, Dave Hardistry, and Michael Shapiro of Chron.com — breaks down all the key takeaways after a 24-point victory over the Nets.

Topics include the healthy return of Alperen Sengun; another big game from Kevin Durant; and positive signs from the “terror twins” duo of Amen Thom...
Mark as Played
The Rockets are 6-6 in December and recently wrapped up an underwhelming 2-4 road trip. Yet, a home victory tonight versus Indiana would give Houston (19-10, No. 4 in the Western Conference standings) a three-game winning streak to end the 2025 portion of its schedule. 

Presented by ClutchFans and hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Monday’s full show breaks down all of the latest developments surrounding the team. Topics include ...
Mark as Played

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