The Houston Rockets faced a tough lesson in their 111-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder during the NBA Cup semifinals. Despite their strong defensive record, their offensive struggles were highlighted, particularly in shooting efficiency, where they ranked near the bottom in the league.

Guard Fred VanVleet emphasized the need for improvement, especially in making open shots. The Rockets must balance their strong defense with a more reliable offense if they hope to compete at a higher level in the postseason.