The Houston Rockets have surged back into contention since the All-Star break, winning three of their last four games, including a significant 118-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. This win has propelled them back into the top four of the Western Conference standings, overtaking the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite a rough start to February with a 2-6 record, the Rockets showed resilience, finishing the month with a slightly improved 5-7 record.

A key factor in this turnaround is the return of power forward Jabari Smith Jr., who has been impactful since coming back from a fractured hand. Averaging 10 points and 7.3 rebounds over the past four games, his presence has bolstered the team's defensive and rebounding stats, with the Rockets now ranking 8th in defensive rating and 7th in rebounding percentage. Meanwhile, Amen Thompson has filled in admirably during Smith's absence, posting near-All-Star numbers. However, Smith's height advantage has proven crucial against opponents exploiting Houston's paint defense.