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Red Rush 90 Expands to Every Home Game, Alongside Bobbleheads, Space City Saturdays and Kid Days

HOUSTON –&nbsp;The Houston Rockets today announced a full slate of theme nights, giveaways, and fan experiences for the 2026-27 season, highlighted by the expansion of Red Rush 90 to every home game, three bobblehead giveaways, Kid Days, Space City Saturdays and special ticket packages.

Red Rush 90 gives fans an enhanced 90-minute pregame experience from when doors open until tipoff. Fans wearing Rockets gear can enjoy 50% off Michelob ULTRA and domestic beers, all Pepsi products, hot dogs, popcorn and pretzels throughout the pregame window.

To celebrate the debut of the Rockets new uniforms, all fans in attendance for the home opener on Oct. 21 vs. Dallas will receive a commemorative ketchup-and-mustard-colored towel, courtesy of Toyota.

The Rockets will have three bobblehead giveaways throughout the season for the first 5,000 fans in attendance:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dec. 1 vs. Toronto: Fred VanVleet bobblehead, presented by Memorial Hermann

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dec. 16 vs. Milwaukee: Rudy Tomjanovich “Rudy T’s Diner” bobblehead, featuring the Hall of Famer serving two championship trophies

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jan. 15 vs. Washington: Dunkstronaut bobblehead, presented by Toyota as part of a space-themed night

Five early Sunday games will feature Kid Days, with giveaways for the first 5,000 children 12 and younger in attendance:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dec. 27 vs. Oklahoma City: PAW Patrol Day, with a kids’ PAW Patrol socks giveaway featuring characters Chase or Skye

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jan. 3 vs. Cleveland: Clutch the Bear’s birthday with a Clutch beanie giveaway, courtesy of Memorial Hermann

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Feb. 14 vs. Denver with a Clutch lunch bag giveaway

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;March 28 vs. the Los Angeles Lakers with a Clutch ears headband giveaway

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;April 4 vs. Chicago with a mini-Clutch plush keychain

Space City Saturdays return with a party-like atmosphere for four games, featuring the Rockets in their black Statement Edition uniforms and the new Dunkstronaut court:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oct. 31 vs. Oklahoma City: Halloween game featuring a special pregame Fan Fest at Root Memorial Park

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nov. 28 vs. Philadelphia

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jan. 16 vs. Detroit

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;March 13 vs. Indiana

Several other giveaways are scheduled during the season:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jan. 29 vs. Orlando: Rodeo Night, powered by Reliant, with a Rockets bolo tie giveaway for the first 5,000 fans in attendance&nbsp;

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;April 7 vs. Sacramento: Houston Comets T-shirt for every fan in attendance celebrating the return of the Comets for the 2027 WNBA season

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;April 9 vs. Portland: Rockets Yearbook for the first 5,000 fans in attendance, courtesy of Toyota

Fans can also take home exclusive items with special ticket packages available for select games throughout the season:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oct. 26 vs. Atlanta: Filipino Heritage Night with a limited-edition bucket hat available as part of the ticket offer

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nov. 23 vs. Los Angeles Clippers: 30th anniversary celebration of Space Jam, with a ticket bundle that includes a commemorative jersey

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Feb. 28 vs. Miami: Hello Kitty Night, presented by Eva Air, with a ticket package including a plush Hello Kitty bag charm

The Rockets will host a series of Celebration Nights designed to engage and honor the diverse cultural communities within the Greater Houston area and the team's fanbase:

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nov. 2 vs. Boston: Día de los Muertos

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nov. 11 vs. Golden State: Military Appreciation Night, presented by Michelob ULTRA

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jan. 27 vs. New Orleans: Pride Night

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Feb. 3 vs. Utah: Honoring the start of Black History Month with performances from a local HBCU band, presented by Sire Spirits

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Feb. 11 vs. Sacramento: Lunar New Year festivities, hosted by Satellite Chemical

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;March 3 vs. New Orleans: Women’s Impact Night

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;March 16 vs. San Antonio: Noche Latina&nbsp;

-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;April 2 vs. Memphis: Legends Night, with appearances by alumni throughout team history

Join Forever Red and become a season ticket member today at&nbsp;Rockets.com&nbsp;or by calling 713.758.7300.&nbsp; Full, half and 10-game memberships are available, featuring the best seats at the best prices, along with a wide-ranging menu of benefits.&nbsp; Fans can also sign up at&nbsp;Rockets.com/Insider&nbsp;for all the latest news and special offers.

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Rockets Announce 2026-27 Promotions and Fan Experiences

houhjoshi

HOUSTON –&nbsp;The Houston Rockets today announced they have signed center Rafael Castro [RAH-fi-ell] to a two-way contract.

Castro (6-10, 224) was eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft following his redshirt senior season at George Washington.&nbsp; At the NBA Draft Combine, he measured with a 9-foot-1.5-inch standing reach and a 7-foot-1.25-inch wingspan.&nbsp; Castro played for Milwaukee’s entries in the California Classic and NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

After three seasons at Providence, including one as a redshirt freshman, Castro transferred to George Washington.&nbsp; He started all 63 games he played as a junior and senior, averaging 14.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.52 blocks and 1.48 steals while shooting 64.4% from the floor.&nbsp; Over that span, Castro joined Yaxel Lendeborg as the only Division I players to have averaged at least 14.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.50 bpg and 1.40 spg.

Castro was a two-time Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team selection and a finalist for the 2025-26 Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year Award.

In a related move, the Rockets have waived guard Tristen Newton.

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Rockets Sign Rafael Castro

HOUSTON –&nbsp;The Houston Rockets today announced they have signed free agent guard Marcus Smart.&nbsp; He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year while playing for Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka with Boston in 2021-22 and is a three-time All-Defensive First Team selection (2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22).

Smart (6-3, 220) was originally the sixth overall pick by Boston in the 2014 NBA Draft.&nbsp; In 12 seasons, he has appeared in 697 games with 441 starts while averaging 10.5 points, 4.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.55 steals and 1.6 3-pointers made in 29.4 minutes per game.&nbsp; He is one of 12 active players with career totals of at least 3,000 assists, 1,000 steals and 1,000 3-pointers made.

In 62 games with 54 starts for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, Smart averaged 9.3 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.8 rpg, 1.40 spg and 1.6 3FGM in 28.5 mpg.&nbsp; Along with Reed Sheppard, Smart was one of five players to have averaged at least 9.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, 1.40 spg and 1.5 3FGM while playing fewer than 30.0 mpg.&nbsp; Among players with 60-plus games played who defended at least 9.0 shots per game, Smart ranked 11th in defensive field goal percentage (.433).

Smart also started all 10 games for the Lakers in the playoffs, averaging 12.9 ppg, 5.1 apg, 3.5 rpg, 2.40 spg and 1.7 3FGM.&nbsp; He ranked second in the NBA in postseason steals behind Tari Eason and joined Amen Thompson as the only players to have averaged at least 5.0 apg and 2.00 spg.

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Rockets Sign Free Agent Marcus Smart

HOUSTON –&nbsp;The Houston Rockets today announced they have re-signed forward Tari Eason.&nbsp; He was the 17th overall pick by Houston in the 2022 NBA Draft&nbsp;

Last season, Eason appeared in 60 games while averaging 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.20 steals and 1.6 3-pointers made in 25.8 minutes per game.&nbsp; He became the first player in NBA history to have averaged at least 10.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.00 spg and 1.5 3FGM while playing fewer than 26.0 mpg in a season.&nbsp;[Season Video Highlights]

Eason hit three or more 3-pointers 15 times last season after doing so a total of 10 times over his first three seasons.&nbsp; Dating back to 2024-25, the Rockets were 28-8 when Eason scored at least 15 points

In NBA history, Eason is the only player with 10-plus games played to have averaged at least 9.0 rebounds, 2.00 steals and 1.5 3-pointers made per 36 minutes played.&nbsp; LeBron James and former Rocket Steve Francis were the only players to have reached Eason’s totals of points, rebounds, steals and 3-pointers made through the first 221 games of a career.

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Rockets Re-Sign Tari Eason

HOUSTON –&nbsp;The Houston Rockets today announced they have signed free agent guard Bogdan Bogdanović [boag-dahn boag-dahn-ovich].

Bogdanović (6-5, 225) was originally the 27th overall pick by Phoenix in the 2014 NBA Draft and has played for Sacramento, Atlanta and most recently the Los Angeles Clippers.&nbsp; In nine seasons, he has appeared in 526 games with 200 starts while averaging 14.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.4 3-pointers made.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Since his rookie season in 2017-18, Bogdanović is one of four players to have averaged at least 14.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.0 apg and 2.0 3FGM while playing fewer than 30.0 mpg.&nbsp; He finished top six in voting for the Sixth Man of the Year award twice while playing for the Hawks in 2021-22 and 2023-24.

Bogdanović is Serbia’s all-time leading scorer in international competition.&nbsp; He helped their national team win a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.&nbsp; In 2025, Bogdanović was named to the EuroLeague 25th Anniversary Team.

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Rockets Sign Free Agent Bogdan Bogdanović

HOUSTON –&nbsp;The Houston Rockets today announced they have signed rookie guard Quadir Copeland [kwah-deer] to a two-way contract.&nbsp; He will play for the Rockets at the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas from July 9-19.

Copeland (6-6, 220) was eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft following his senior season at NC State.&nbsp; He played his first two seasons at Syracuse before transferring to McNeese State for his junior season.&nbsp; Copeland earned All-ACC Third Team honors in 2025-26 and was an All-Southland Conference Second Team selection in 2024-25.

As a senior with the Wolfpack, Copeland averaged 13.9 points, 6.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.79 steals while shooting 49.4% from the floor, 39.7% from 3-point range and 77.5% from the foul line.&nbsp; He was one of three NCAA Division I players in 2025-26 to have averaged at least 13.0 ppg, 6.0 apg and 1.70 spg.

Copeland recorded 10-plus assists four times last season, including 16 without a turnover at SMU on Feb. 3.&nbsp; That was the most assists without a turnover by any Division I player over the past seven seasons.

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Rockets Sign Rookie Quadir Copeland to Two-Way Contract

HOUSTON –&nbsp;The Houston Rockets today announced they have signed rookie guard Bruce Thornton.&nbsp; He will play for the Rockets at the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas from July 9-19.

Thornton was the 31st overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft following his senior season at Ohio State.&nbsp; He started 136 of a possible 137 games for his career, while averaging 15.9 points, 4.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

The Georgia native became the Buckeyes first four-time captain and is the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,164 points.&nbsp; Thornton is the first Division I player with career totals of at least 2,000 points and 500 assists while recording fewer than 200 turnovers since the NCAA began officially tracking turnovers in 1992-93.

Thornton increased his scoring average across each of his four seasons and recorded an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.02 for his career.&nbsp; Over his final two seasons, Thornton averaged 1.8 3-pointers made on 41.2% shooting.

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Rockets Sign Rookie Bruce Thornton 

HOUSTON –&nbsp;The Houston Rockets today announced they have traded forward Dorian Finney-Smith to Charlotte along with three second round draft picks (Memphis’ in 2027; Houston’s in 2028 and 2033) in exchange for cash considerations.

In 10 NBA seasons, Finney-Smith has appeared in 628 games with 445 starts while averaging 8.0 points and 4.4 rebounds.&nbsp; He played in 37 games for the Rockets last season.