Houston Rockets Playoff History: Series by Year

This is a timeline with all the NBA postseason series played by the Houston Rockets. It also includes data about how the team arrived to the Playoffs that year and the result of each series, since their first season in 1968 to the present.

In their 58 seasons in the NBA, the Houston Rockets made the postseason 34 times. On those years they have played a total of 62 playoff series, of which they won 30 and lost 32, for a 48.4 winning percentge.

So far, they have reached the NBA Finals 4 times and have won 2 Championships.

Houston Rockets Playoffs Timeline

2025 Playoffs

Teams for these Playoffs are still to be determined.

2024 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (41-41 season record, 11th in the Western Conference).

2023 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (22-60 season record, 14th in the Western Conference).

2022 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (20-62 season record, 15th in the Western Conference).

2021 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (17-55 season record, 15th in the Western Conference).

2020 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Western Conference (44-28 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 1-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

* The Lakers ended up winning the Championship.

2019 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Western Conference (53-29 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Utah Jazz 4-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Golden State Warriors 2-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

2018 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 1st seed in the Western Conference (65-17 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Utah Jazz 4-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Golden State Warriors 3-4 in the Western Conference Finals

* The Warriors ended up winning the Championship.

2017 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference (55-27 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the San Antonio Spurs 2-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

2016 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference (41-41 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Golden State Warriors 1-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2015 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Conference (56-26 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 4-3 in the Western Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Golden State Warriors 1-4 in the Western Conference Finals

* The Warriors ended up winning the Championship.

2014 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Western Conference (54-28 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Portland Trail Blazers 2-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2013 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference (45-37 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 2-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2012 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (34-32 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

2011 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (43-39 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

2010 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (42-40 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

2009 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Western Conference (53-29 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 4-2 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 3-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

* The Lakers ended up winning the Championship.

2008 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Western Conference (55-27 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Utah Jazz 2-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2007 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Western Conference (52-30 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Utah Jazz 3-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2006 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (34-48 season record, 12th in the Western Conference).

2005 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Western Conference (51-31 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Dallas Mavericks 3-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2004 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Western Conference (45-37 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 1-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2003 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (43-39 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

2002 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (28-54 season record, 11th in the Western Conference).

2001 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (45-37 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

2000 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (34-48 season record, 11th in the Western Conference).

1999 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Western Conference (31-19 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 1-3 in the Western Conference First Round

1998 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference (41-41 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Utah Jazz 2-3 in the Western Conference First Round

1997 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference (57-25 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-0 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Seattle Supersonics 4-3 in the Western Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Utah Jazz 2-4 in the Western Conference Finals

1996 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Western Conference (48-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 3-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Seattle Supersonics 0-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

1995 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Western Conference (47-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Utah Jazz 3-2 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Phoenix Suns 4-3 in the Western Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-2 in the Western Conference Finals
  • -
    Defeated the Orlando Magic 4-0 in the NBA Finals

The Rockets won the Championship in 1995, it was the 2nd NBA title in franchise history.

1994 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Conference (58-24 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 3-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Phoenix Suns 4-3 in the Western Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Utah Jazz 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals
  • -
    Defeated the New York Knicks 4-3 in the NBA Finals

The Rockets won the Championship in 1994, it was the 1st NBA title in franchise history.

1993 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Conference (55-27 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 3-2 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Seattle Supersonics 3-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

1992 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (42-40 season record, 9th in the Western Conference).

1991 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Western Conference (52-30 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 0-3 in the Western Conference First Round

1990 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference (41-41 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 1-3 in the Western Conference First Round

1989 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Western Conference (45-37 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Seattle Supersonics 1-3 in the Western Conference First Round

1988 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Western Conference (46-36 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Dallas Mavericks 1-3 in the Western Conference First Round

1987 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Western Conference (42-40 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 3-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Seattle Supersonics 2-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

1986 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Conference (51-31 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Sacramento Kings 3-0 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the Denver Nuggets 4-2 in the Western Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 2-4 in the NBA Finals

1985 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Western Conference (48-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Utah Jazz 2-3 in the Western Conference First Round

1984 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (29-53 season record, 12th in the Western Conference).

1983 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (14-68 season record, 12th in the Western Conference).

1982 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Western Conference (46-36 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Seattle Supersonics 1-2 in the Western Conference First Round

1981 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Western Conference (40-42 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 2-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-3 in the Western Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Defeated the Kansas City Kings 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 2-4 in the NBA Finals

1980 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (41-41 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the San Antonio Spurs 2-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 0-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1979 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (47-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Atlanta Hawks 0-2 in the Eastern Conference First Round

1978 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (28-54 season record, 9th in the Eastern Conference).

1977 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference (49-33 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Washington Bullets 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
  • -
    Lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 2-4 in the Eastern Conference Finals

1976 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (40-42 season record, 6th in the Eastern Conference).

1975 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference (41-41 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the New York Knicks 2-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Boston Celtics 1-4 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals

1974 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (32-50 season record, 6th in the Eastern Conference).

1973 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-49 season record, 5th in the Eastern Conference).

1972 Playoffs

The Houston Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (34-48 season record, 7th in the Western Conference).

1971 Playoffs

The San Diego Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (40-42 season record, 7th in the Western Conference).

1970 Playoffs

The San Diego Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (27-55 season record, 7th in the Western Division).

1969 Playoffs

The San Diego Rockets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 4th seed in the Western Division (37-45 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Atlanta Hawks 2-4 in the Western Division Semifinals

1968 Playoffs

The San Diego Rockets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (15-67 season record, 6th in the Western Division).

- end of timeline