The Houston Rockets is one of the most storied franchises in the NBA. Toyota Center is the team’s home stadium with a seating capacity of over 18,000 people. The Rockets, who serve as the heart of basketball culture in the city of Houston, are owned by Tilman Fertitta who is an American businessman.
The Rockets have come to be known as “Clutch City,” as a testament to their history and culture. The Rockets have witnessed several greats playing on their roster since their entry into the league. Some of these players include Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, James Harden, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming.
Such players provided the franchise with recognition and left a mark on the league with their individual achievements. The Rockets continue to be an active location for basketball, serving as a historically significant franchise while also serving as a center for developing young talent.
How many championships have the Houston Rockets won?
The Houston Rockets have won two NBA championships so far in their history in the NBA. These two championships were earned in consecutive years in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 NBA seasons. In the 1993-94 NBA season, the Rockets secured their first ever NBA championship by defeating the New York Knicks.
The series went to seven games, with the Rockets emerging as victors led by Hakeem Olajuwon. The skill and dominant play displayed by the Hall of Famer led Olajuwon to be crowned MVP of the finals. In the 1994-95 NBA finals, the Rockets were pitched against Orlando Magic, who were led by Shaquille O’Neal.
Despite Shaquille O’Neal’s dominant performance, he was no match for Hakeem Olajuwon, who once again proved his prowess as one of the league’s best centers.
| Team Name | Head Coach | Against | Final Date and Year | Venue | ‘Team Name’ Wins/Losses by Game in Series |
| Houston Rockets | Rudy Tomjanovich | New York Knicks | June 22, 1994 | The Summit | Rockets won 4-3 |
| Houston Rockets | Rudy Tomjanovich | Orlando Magic | June 14, 1995 | The Summit | Rockets won 4-0 |
Houston Rockets Finals Appearance History
The Houston Rockets have appeared in the final battle for the coveted Larry O’Brian Trophy 4 times, since their inception into the league. Their most notable performances in the NBA finals have been in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 NBA seasons when they won two consecutive Championship rings.
The Rockets have the same number of finals appearances as the Atlanta Hawks, Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder and the Washington Wizards. However, they have won the most number of titles amongst the four teams with two rings. In both instances of winning the championship, the Rockets faced tough opponents in the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic respectively.
Each finals turned out to be a battle between centers with Hakeem Olajuwon competing against the likes of Patrick Ewing and Shaquille O’Neal. These victories cemented the Rocket’s place in the records of the NBA and while they have not won an NBA championship since 1995, the two championshi[ps stand testament to the team’s basketball legacy.
| Year | Head Coach | Against | Venue | Result |
| 1981 | Dell Harris | Boston Celtics | TD Garden | Rockets lost 2-4 |
| 1986 | Bill Fitch | Boston Celtics | The Summit | Rockets lost 2-4 |
| 1994 | Rudy Tomjanovich | New York Knicks | The Summit | Rockets won 4-3 |
| 1995 | Rudy Tomjanovich | Orlando Magic | The Summit | Rockets won 4-0 |
What teams did the Houston Rockets lose the Championship Finals against?
The Houston Rockets have lost the NBA finals twice in their history. The team has lost the finals against the Boston Celtics:
Rockets lost the finals against the Celtics 2-4, 1981
Rockets lost the finals against the Celtics 2-4, 1986
The team has made it to the finals four times of which the two losses came from just one team in the NBA.
Houston Rockets Last Finals Appearance
The Houston Rockets made their last NBA finals appearance in the 1994-95 NBA season. They finished the regular season with a record of 47 wins to 35 losses and were placed 6th on the Western Conference Standings. The team faced off against the Orlando Magic in the finals and won the series 4-0.
Under the strategic vision of Head Coach Rudy Tomjanovich and the prowess of Hakeem Olajuwon, the Rockets won their second NBA championship in a row. Olajuwon averaged over 32 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks per game, winning the Finals MVP for the second time in a row.
The Rocket’s teamwork and dominance in winning a clean sweep over their opponents, made this championship run their most memorable one.
FAQ's On Houston Rockets Final Appearances
A. The Houston Rockets appeared in the NBA finals four times. The years when the teams made finals appearances are 1981, 1986, 1994 and 1995.
A. The Houston Rockets have won the NBA title two times. They won two consecutive titles in the years 1994 and 1995.
A. The Houston Rockets have earned two championship rings. The first ring was won against the New York Knicks while the second ring was won against the Orlando Magic.
A. The Houston Rockets have been defeated twice by the Boston Celtics in the NBA finals.
A. The Houston Rockets last won the NBA finals in the 1994-95 NBA season in a cleansweep against Orlando Magic.
