2002–03 Houston Rockets season

March 2026 August 2023 Houston Rockets 2003 43 39 Midwest 5 9 Rudy Tomjanovich Compaq Center KNWS-TVKHWBFox Sports Net Southwest KILT Did not qualify HOU The 2002–03 Houston Rockets season was the 36th season for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association, and their 32nd season in Houston, Texas. Houston Rockets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season After finishing with a 28–54 record the previous season, the Rockets won the NBA draft lottery, Broussard Chris Pro Basketball: Rockets Win Lottery with a Francis Assist The New York Times May 20, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/20/sports/pro-basketball-rockets-win-lottery-with-a-francis-assist.html?mcubz=0 August 24, 2017 and selected 7'6" center, and Chinese basketball star Yao Ming with the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft. Lago Joe Rockets Make Yao Ming First Overall Pick ESPN June 26, 2002 https://www.espn.com/nbadraft/story?id=1399417 January 14, 2022 Passan Jeff Rockets Select Yao No. 1 Overall in Draft The Washington Post June 26, 2002 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/06/27/rockets-select-yao-no-1-overall-in-draft/514fd892-fe37-4595-aed2-c42c53b509fb/ July 15, 2022 2002 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2002.html December 1, 2022 Regular season In December, the Rockets traded Kenny Thomas to the Philadelphia 76ers, and acquired James Posey from the Denver Nuggets in a three-team trade. Posey Involved in Three-Team Trade United Press International December 18, 2002 https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/12/18/Posey-involved-in-three-team-trade/30081040261057/ October 27, 2022 Nuggets, Rockets, 76ers Agree to 3-Way Trade Arizona Daily Sun December 18, 2002 https://azdailysun.com/nuggets-rockets-76ers-agree-to-3-way-trade/article_df6c9f6c-533b-5bbb-b916-24583a16af95.html June 22, 2022 With the addition of Yao, the Rockets got off to a 9–6 start to the regular season, and played .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season, holding a 26–22 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=2003 September 13, 2022 The team posted a five-game winning streak in March, and won five of their final seven games of the season. The Rockets finished in fifth place in the Midwest Division with a 43–39 record, which was a 15-game improvement over the previous season; however, the team missed the NBA playoffs by finishing just one game behind the 8th–seeded Phoenix Suns. 2002–03 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2003_games.html January 13, 2022 Yao averaged 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while Francis averaged 21.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and Cuttino Mobley provided the team with 17.5 points per and 1.3 steals game, and also led them with 118 three-point field goals. In addition, Posey provided with 9.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in 58 games after the trade, while Glen Rice contributed 9.0 points per game and 101 three-point field goals, and second-year forward Eddie Griffin provided with 8.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Maurice Taylor averaged 8.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, Kelvin Cato provided with 5.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, and Moochie Norris contributed 4.4 points and 2.4 assists per game. 2002–03 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2003.html January 13, 2022 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, Francis and Yao were both selected for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Western Conference All-Star team; it was Yao's first ever All-Star appearance. Sheridan Chris Something Old, Something New on Court at All-Star Game Ocala Star-Banner February 9, 2003 https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2003/02/09/something-old-something-new-on-court-at-all-star-game/31273551007/ January 28, 2026 NBA.com Staff 2003 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-2003 January 28, 2026 2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT) Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2003.html January 28, 2026 Yao also finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting, behind Amar'e Stoudemire of the Suns, Associated Press Plus: N.B.A.: Stoudemire Named Rookie of the Year The New York Times April 25, 2003 https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/25/sports/plus-nba-stoudemire-named-rookie-of-the-year.html June 12, 2022 2002–03 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2003.html February 1, 2026 while head coach Rudy Tomjanovich finished tied in 15th place in Coach of the Year voting. The Rockets finished 27th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 565,166 at the Compaq Center during the regular season, which was the third-lowest in the league. 2002–03 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2003.html February 3, 2026 Notable highlights One notable highlight of the regular season occurred on January 17, 2003, in a home game against the 3-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers at the Compaq Center. Francis posted a double-double of 44 points and 11 assists, and also made 6 out of 8 three-point field-goal attempts, as the Rockets defeated the Lakers in overtime, 108–104. Brown Tim Rockets Take Center Stage Los Angeles Times January 18, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jan-18-sp-lakers18-story.html June 12, 2022 Nichols Rachel Francis on Centers' Stage The Washington Post January 19, 2003 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/01/19/francis-on-centers-stage/0629f5fd-4da3-4d36-bd89-7b51decc1b9a/ November 27, 2022 Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets Box Score, January 17, 2003 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200301170HOU.html February 1, 2026 Aftermath This was also the Rockets' final season in which they played their home games at the Compaq Center. Following the season, Tomjanovich resigned as head coach due to health issues, Associated Press Rockets' Tomjanovich Resigns Los Angeles Times May 24, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-24-sp-rudyt24-story.html November 27, 2022 Grateful Tomjanovich Says He's Cancer-Free Los Angeles Times October 14, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-oct-14-sp-newswire14-story.html November 27, 2022 although he would return to coach the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004. Meanwhile, Posey signed as a free agent with the Memphis Grizzlies, Times Wire Services Sprewell Is Part of 4-Team Trade Los Angeles Times July 24, 2003 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-24-sp-nbareport24-story.html November 27, 2022 Posey Signs Offer Sheet United Press International July 23, 2003 https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2003/07/23/Posey-signs-offer-sheet/38781059007816/ July 14, 2022 while Griffin was released to free agency, and Rice was traded to the Utah Jazz, Associated Press Sports Briefing: Pro Basketball: Rockets Trade Rice to Jazz for Amaechi The New York Times October 1, 2003 https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/01/sports/sports-briefing-pro-basketball-rockets-trade-rice-to-jazz-for-amaechi.html November 27, 2022 but was released and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. 2 Draft picks 2002 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 1 Yao Ming C China Shanghai Sharks (China) 1 15 Boštjan Nachbar (from Toronto) SF Benetton Treviso (Italy) 2 37 Tito Maddox PG United States Fresno State So. Roster Houston Rockets 2002–03 #1D2951 #FFFFFF #B50000 #FFFFFF 13 Kelvin Cato C/F 6 11 255 Iowa State 52 Jason Collier C 7 0 260 Georgia Tech 3 Steve Francis Steve Francis G 6 3 195 Maryland 33 Eddie Griffin basketball F/C 6 10 220 Seton Hall 1 Juaquin Hawkins G 6 7 220 Long Beach State 6 Tito Maddox G 6 4 190 Fresno State 5 Cuttino Mobley G/F 6 4 190 Rhode Island 44 Terence Morris F 6 9 221 Maryland 9 Boštjan Nachbar F 6 9 221 Slovenia 12 Moochie Norris G 6 1 175 West Florida 55 James Posey F/G 6 8 215 Xavier 41 Glen Rice F 6 7 215 Michigan 2 Maurice Taylor F/C 6 9 260 Michigan 11 Yao Ming Yao Ming C 7 6 310 China Rudy Tomjanovich Jim Boylen Dean Cooper Melvin Hunt Larry Smith Mike Wells https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2003.html Note Bold = All-Star selection Regular season Season standings HOU HOU Game log Game Date Opponent Result Rockets score Opponents Record Streak OT 1 October 30 @ Indiana Loss 82 91 0-1 Lost 1 2 November 1 @ Denver Win 83 74 1-1 Won 1 3 November 2 Toronto Win 88 76 2-1 Won 2 4 November 5 Seattle Loss 97 104 2-2 Lost 1 5 November 9 Golden State Win 111 104 3-2 Won 1 6 November 12 Portland Win 86 83 4-2 Won 2 7 November 15 @ Phoenix Loss 87 88 4-3 Lost 1 8 November 17 @ LA Lakers Win 93 89 5-3 Won 1 9 November 19 Cleveland Win 97 80 6-3 Won 2 10 November 21 @ Dallas Loss 90 103 6-4 Lost 1 11 November 22 Washington Win 93 86 7-4 Won 1 12 November 24 @ LA Clippers Loss 89 90 7-5 Lost 1 13 November 26 @ Portland Loss 71 77 7-6 Lost 2 14 November 27 @ Golden State Win 91 84 8-6 Won 1 15 November 29 @ Seattle Win 83 72 9-6 Won 2 16 December 1 @ Sacramento Loss 84 103 9-7 Lost 1 17 December 3 San Antonio Win 89 75 10-7 Won 1 18 December 6 @ New Orleans Loss 96 98 10-8 Lost 1 OT 19 December 7 Philadelphia Win 97 72 11-8 Won 1 20 December 10 Sacramento Win 103 96 12-8 Won 2 21 December 13 @ Memphis Loss 109 114 12-9 Lost 1 OT 22 December 14 LA Clippers Loss 83 94 12-10 Lost 2 23 December 16 @ Miami Win 105 100 13-10 Won 1 OT 24 December 18 Indiana Win 95 83 14-10 Won 2 25 December 20 Atlanta Win 101 82 15-10 Won 3 26 December 21 @ Minnesota Loss 86 98 15-11 Lost 1 27 December 23 Utah Loss 91 96 15-12 Lost 2 28 December 27 New York Loss 83 99 15-13 Lost 3 29 December 29 New Orleans Win 97 85 16-13 Won 1 30 December 31 Milwaukee Win 103 80 17-13 Won 2 31 January 4 Golden State Loss 84 86 17-14 Lost 1 32 January 7 Minnesota Win 94 86 18-14 Won 1 33 January 8 @ Orlando Win 91 81 19-14 Won 2 34 January 10 @ Atlanta Loss 75 84 19-15 Lost 1 35 January 11 Denver Win 87 85 20-15 Won 1 36 January 13 Boston Win 101 92 21-15 Won 2 37 January 15 Phoenix Win 102 96 22-15 Won 3 38 January 17 LA Lakers Win 108 104 23-15 Won 4 OT 39 January 20 @ San Antonio Loss 82 87 23-16 Lost 1 40 January 21 @ Dallas Loss 86 107 23-17 Lost 2 41 January 24 Detroit Loss 74 98 23-18 Lost 3 42 January 26 @ Chicago Loss 98 100 23-19 Lost 4 43 January 27 @ Memphis Win 100 95 24-19 Won 1 44 January 29 Dallas Loss 81 104 24-20 Lost 1 45 January 31 Minnesota Win 121 101 25-20 Won 1 46 February 2 Sacramento Win 105 89 26-20 Won 2 47 February 4 @ Minnesota Loss 89 103 26-21 Lost 1 48 February 5 @ Cleveland Loss 102 105 26-22 Lost 2 49 February 11 Utah Loss 101 103 26-23 Lost 3 OT 50 February 12 @ Utah Win 106 76 27-23 Won 1 51 February 14 Miami Loss 82 94 27-24 Lost 1 52 February 18 @ LA Lakers Loss 99 106 27-25 Lost 2 2OT 53 February 19 @ Phoenix Win 107 89 28-25 Won 1 54 February 21 Dallas Loss 85 100 28-26 Lost 1 55 February 22 Memphis Win 93 82 29-26 Won 1 56 February 24 @ Boston Win 101 95 30-26 Won 2 OT 57 February 25 @ New York Loss 95 102 30-27 Lost 1 58 February 27 @ Washington Loss 98 100 30-28 Lost 2 OT 59 March 2 San Antonio Loss 88 97 30-29 Lost 3 60 March 4 @ Detroit Loss 83 96 30-30 Lost 4 61 March 5 @ Toronto Win 97 95 31-30 Won 1 62 March 8 New Jersey Win 83 71 32-30 Won 2 63 March 12 LA Clippers Win 118 114 33-30 Won 3 OT 64 March 14 Chicago Win 121 91 34-30 Won 4 65 March 16 Phoenix Win 85 75 35-30 Won 5 66 March 18 @ Seattle Loss 94 100 35-31 Lost 1 67 March 19 @ Portland Loss 83 94 35-32 Lost 2 68 March 21 @ Golden State Win 117 107 36-32 Won 1 69 March 23 @ Sacramento Loss 108 109 36-33 Lost 1 70 March 24 @ LA Clippers Win 108 90 37-33 Won 1 71 March 26 LA Lakers Loss 93 96 37-34 Lost 1 72 March 27 @ San Antonio Loss 85 98 37-35 Lost 2 73 March 29 Denver Win 102 89 38-35 Won 1 74 March 31 @ New Jersey Loss 86 110 38-36 Lost 1 75 April 2 @ Milwaukee Loss 99 106 38-37 Lost 2 76 April 4 @ Philadelphia Win 88 79 39-37 Won 1 77 April 6 Orlando Win 114 93 40-37 Won 2 78 April 8 Portland Loss 66 81 40-38 Lost 1 79 April 9 @ Utah Loss 73 94 40-39 Lost 2 80 April 12 Seattle Win 101 86 41-39 Won 1 81 April 15 Memphis Win 97 86 42-39 Won 2 82 April 16 @ Denver Win 89 84 43-39 Won 3 Player statistics Regular season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPGPPGKelvin Cato 73 5 17.1 .520 .000 .532 5.9 .3 .5 1.2 4.5Jason Collier 13 3 8.0 .472 1.000 2.2 .1 .2 .1 2.8Steve Francis 81 81 41.0 .435 .354 .800 6.2 6.2 1.7 .5 21.0Eddie Griffin basketball 77 66 24.5 .400 .333 .617 6.0 1.1 .7 1.4 8.6Juaquin Hawkins 58 10 11.8 .385 .417 .500 1.3 .8 .5 .1 2.3Tito Maddox 9 0 3.9 .250 .000 .625 .8 .6 .3 .1 1.2Yao Ming 82 72 29.0 .498 .500 .811 8.2 1.7 .4 1.8 13.5Cuttino Mobley 73 73 41.7 .434 .352 .858 4.2 2.8 1.3 .5 17.5Terence Morris 49 0 12.9 .466 .219 .786 2.6 .5 .2 .3 3.7Boštjan Nachbar 14 1 5.5 .355 .200 .500 .8 .2 .1 .1 2.1Moochie Norris 82 3 16.8 .406 .244 .684 1.9 2.4 .7 .0 4.4James Posey† 58 47 28.4 .439 .326 .826 4.8 1.8 1.3 .2 9.3Glen Rice 62 26 24.7 .429 .398 .759 2.5 1.0 .4 .1 9.0Maurice Taylor 67 9 20.6 .432 .000 .725 3.6 1.0 .3 .3 8.4Kenny Thomas basketball† 20 14 29.3 .432 .733 6.9 2.0 .8 .3 9.9 Player statistics citation: Awards and records Awards Yao Ming, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team Records Transactions Trades Free agents 52% Additions Player Signed Former team Subtractions Player Left New team See also 2002–03 NBA season References Category:Houston Rockets seasons Houston Category:2002 in sports in Texas Category:2003 in sports in Texas Category:2002 in Houston Category:2003 in Houston