The Houston Rockets have made a significant turnaround this season, with Jalen Green emerging as a standout player under the leadership of head coach Ime Udoka. After finishing with a poor record in his first two seasons, Green has led the team to a playoff berth for the first time since 2020, attributing much of this success to Udoka's influence on team culture. The Rockets, bolstered by offseason acquisitions like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, have climbed to second in the Western Conference.

Following a victory over Utah, which secured the division title, Green emphasized Udoka's role in establishing a winning mindset within the team. He noted how Udoka instilled a culture of hard work and commitment, helping them shed bad habits from previous seasons. With five regular-season games remaining, the Rockets look poised to make a meaningful playoff run, showcasing the fruits of their hard work and strategic reinforcements.