Ime Udoka’s young Rockets show real growth

Ime Udoka sees more than results in Houston’s latest performances against the Lakers. Over the past two games, the Rockets have revealed a young group beginning to understand itself under pressure. Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason elevated their play on both ends, even holding Los Angeles under 100 points in consecutive matchups. For Udoka, who has long stressed turning talent into habits, these displays marked a collective step forward. He referenced the costly mistakes of Game 3, two turnovers and a shooting foul in the decisive moments, but emphasized that the response mattered more than the setback.

In his view, the team transformed a painful lesson into a mental breakthrough. Udoka praised the group’s resilience, noting that adversity is shaping them into a battle‑tested unit. Regardless of how the series ends, Houston’s future now appears less theoretical and increasingly visible in real time.