The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The Rockets were founded in 1967 in San Diego, and after being bought by Robert Breitbard for 1.75 million dollars.

In 2008–2009 the Rockets ended the season 54–28, reaching the number 5 spot. With McGrady out with season-ending surgery the Rockets Basketball were still able to get out of the first round, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 4 games to 2. The series win was their first since 1997.[108] But Yao Ming suffered yet another season-ending injury, this time a hairline fracture in his right foot, during Game 3 of their second round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets currently trail the series 3-2.

During the four years the Rockets were in San Diego, they played their games in the San Diego Sports Arena. Their first permanent arena in Houston was the 10,000 seat Hofheinz Pavilion, which they moved into during their second season. They played in the arena for four years, before occupying The Summit in 1975. Now is game is at  Houston Rockets Toyota Center.