2016–17 Houston Rockets season
The 2016–17 Houston Rockets season was the 50th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association, and their 46th in the Houston area. On June 1, 2016, the Rockets named Mike D'Antoni as their new head coach. The Rockets retired the number 11 of former center Yao Ming in February 2017.
The Rockets finished the regular season with a 55–27 record, securing the 3rd seed. In the playoffs, the Rockets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games in the First Round, advancing to the Conference Semifinals, where they lost in six games to the San Antonio Spurs.
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College / Club |
| 2 | 37 | Chinanu Onuaku | PF/C | Louisville | |
| 2 | 43 | Zhou Qi | C | Xinjiang Flying Tigers |
Roster
Standings
Division
Conference
Game log
Preseason
Regular season
Playoffs
Player statistics
Regular season
Postseason
Injuries
Source:Transactions
Trades
Free agents
;Re-signed| Player | Signed | Contract | Ref. |
| July 9, 2016 | 4 years, $118 million |
;Additions
| Player | Signed | Contract | Former team | Ref. |
| May 26, 2016 | 4 years, $17 million | Philadelphia 76ers | ||
| July 9, 2016 | 4 years, $80 million | New Orleans Pelicans | ||
| July 9, 2016 | 4 years, $53 million | New Orleans Pelicans | ||
| July 19, 2016 | 1 year, $2.9 million | Washington Wizards | ||
| July 28, 2016 | 2 year, $2.2 million | Los Angeles Clippers | ||
| September 23, 2016 | 1 year, $980,000 |  Beşiktaş Sompo Japan | ||
| September 23, 2016 | 2 year, $1.4 million | Gonzaga Bulldogs | ||
| February 27, 2017 | 3 year, $3.1 million | Rio Grande Valley Vipers | ||
| March 10, 2017 | 10-day contract | Iowa Energy |
;Subtractions
| Player | Reason left | Date | New Team | Ref. |
| Waived | July 9, 2016 |  Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv | ||
| Free Agency | July 9, 2016 | New Orleans Pelicans | ||
| Free Agency | July 9, 2016 | Milwaukee Bucks | ||
| Free Agency | July 9, 2016 |  Sichuan Blue Whales | ||
| Free Agency | July 12, 2016 | Atlanta Hawks | ||
| Waived | October 24, 2016 |  Saski Baskonia | ||
| Free Agency | December 15, 2016 | New Orleans Pelicans | ||
| Waived | February 25, 2017 | - |
Awards, records and milestones
Awards
Records
- On November 12, James Harden became the first player in NBA history to record at least 24 points & 12 assists in six consecutive games.
- On November 14, James Harden became the first player in NBA history to record 300+ points and 120+ assists in their team's first 10 games.
- On November 25, the Rockets attempted 50 three-pointers in a win against the Kings, setting an NBA record for most 3-pointers attempted in a game, breaking the previous record of 49 set by Dallas in 1996.
- On November 29, the Rockets hit 10+ three-pointers in their 17th consecutive game, setting an NBA record. The streak would last until December 20, ending at 27 straight games.
- On December 7, Eric Gordon made eight 3-pointers in a 134–95 wing against the Los Angeles Lakers, the most 3's made by a player coming off the bench in franchise history.
- On December 16, the Rockets made 24 three-pointers on 61 attempts in a win against the Pelicans, both setting an NBA record.
- On December 31, James Harden recorded 53 points along with 16 rebounds and 17 assists, becoming the first player to record a 50–15–15 game in NBA history, and tying Wilt Chamberlain for most points scored in a triple-double. It was a new career high in points for Harden as well as tying his career high in assists. The 53 points scored by Harden set a new record for the most points scored on New Year's Eve in NBA history.
- The Rockets went 15–2 in the month of December, tying their franchise record for most wins in a calendar month.
- The Rockets made 279 three-pointers in December, shattering the old NBA record of 227 for most 3's made in a single month.
- The Rockets became the first team since the Golden State Warriors in March 1992 to score 2,000 points in a single calendar month.
- On January 2, James Harden became the first Rocket to record three straight triple-doubles.
- On January 6, James Harden's streak of 53 straight games of making a three-pointer came to an end against the Magic, a franchise record for most consecutive games with a 3-pointer.
- On January 10, James Harden became just the fourth player in NBA history record a 40-point triple-double in consecutive games.
- On January 27, James Harden recorded a 51-point, 13 rebound, 13 assist triple-double, becoming the first player in NBA history to record two 50-point triple-doubles in the same season, and tying Oscar Robertson for the most 40-point triple-doubles in a single season with five.
- On March 1, the Rockets scored 100+ points in their 48th consecutive game, setting a franchise record.
- On March 4, Eric Gordon made his 180th three-pointer this season as a reserve, setting an NBA record for most three-pointers made by a player off the bench in a season.
Milestones
- On November 9, James Harden passed Vernon Maxwell for most 3-point attempts in Rockets history with 2,242.
- On November 19, James Harden passed Robert Reid for 7th on the Rockets' all-time scoring list.
- On December 2, James Harden became the first Rocket to make a 3-pointer in each of the first 20 games of the season.
- On December 10, Trevor Ariza passed Shane Battier for 4th all-time in Rockets' history in 3-pointers made with 780.
- On December 14, James Harden recorded his 14th career triple-double as a Rocket, tying Hakeem Olajuwon for most in franchise history. Harden would pass Olajuwon by recording his 15th in his very next game against the Pelicans.
- On December 20, James Harden passed Yao Ming for 6th on the Rockets' all-time scoring list with 9,248 points.
- On December 26, James Harden passed Kenny Smith for 5th all-time in franchise history for assists with 2,459.
- On January 15, James Harden passed Mike Newlin for 4th place all-time in Rockets' history in assists with 2,582.
- On January 27, James Harden passed Steve Francis for 5th all-time in franchise history in steals with 920.
- On February 3, James Harden scored his 10,000th career point as a Rocket, becoming just the sixth Rocket ever to reach that milestone for the franchise.