Rockets Notes: Expectations, VanVleet, Durant, Thompson

By Dana Gauruder | at September 22, 2026 7:57 pm Rockets coach Ime Udoka isn’t downplaying expectations for the upcoming season. He’s preparing for a lengthy playoff run, according to Kristie Rieken of the Associated Press. “We’re not here to just make the first round, we want to make some real noise,” Udoka said during the team’s media day. “Everybody’s hungrier for that and to take the next step and not plateau.” Houston posted a 52-win season despite losing point guard Fred VanVleet to a season-ending ACL tear prior to training camp. The Rockets were bounced by the Lakers in…