The Rockets will be in the Western Conference's Group C along with the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs. The Warriors defeated the Rockets in a seven-game series in the first round of the playoffs last spring.

For the Emirates NBA Cup 2025, the Rockets have a relatively challenging draw in Western Conference Group C (Nuggets, Warriors, Spurs, Trail Blazers).

The groups are as follows: West Group A: Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz West Group B: Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans