# 2002–03 Houston Rockets season

The 2002–03 NBA season was the Rockets' 36th season in the National Basketball Association, and 32nd season in the city of Houston. This was their final season playing at the Compaq Center. The Rockets won the Draft Lottery, where they selected 7'6" Chinese sensation Yao Ming with the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft. In December, the Rockets acquired James Posey from the Denver Nuggets in a three-team trade, which sent Kenny Thomas to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Rockets got off to a 9–6 start, and played .500 basketball for the remainder of the season, holding a 26–22 record at the All-Star break. With Yao teamed up with captain Steve Francis, they gelled their first season together, being named as starters for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game. On January 17, 2003, Francis gained national media attention, scoring a career-high 44 points in a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets finished the season fifth in the Midwest Division with a 43–39 record without clinching a playoff spot, finishing just one game behind the 8th-seeded Phoenix Suns, although they improved on last season, where they won just 28 games. Yao averaged 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting, 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 game. In addition, Glen Rice contributed 9.0 points per game, while second-year forward Eddie Griffin provided with 8.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, and Maurice Taylor averaged 8.4 points per game off the bench.
This season was also head coach Rudy Tomjanovich's last as he would step down following the season due to health issues, though he would return in 2004 to coach the Lakers. Also following the season, Posey signed as a free agent with the Memphis Grizzlies, while Griffin was released to free agency, and Rice was traded to the Utah Jazz, but was released and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.

## Draft picks

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 1 | 1 | Yao Ming | (C) | China | Shanghai Sharks (China) |
| 1 | 15 | Boštjan Nachbar (from Toronto) | (SF) | Slovenia | Benetton Treviso (Italy) |
| 2 | 37 | Tito Maddox | (PG) | United States | Fresno State So. |

## Roster
### Note

Bold = All-Star selection

## Regular season
### Season standings

| Midwest Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-San Antonio Spurs | 60 | 22 | .732 | – | 33–8 | 27–14 | 17–7 |
| x-Dallas Mavericks | 60 | 22 | .732 | – | 33–8 | 27–14 | 18–6 |
| x-Minnesota Timberwolves | 51 | 31 | .622 | 9 | 33–8 | 18–23 | 15–9 |
| x-Utah Jazz | 47 | 35 | .573 | 13 | 29–12 | 18–23 | 15–9 |
| Houston Rockets | 43 | 39 | .524 | 17 | 28–13 | 15–26 | 11–13 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 28 | 54 | .341 | 32 | 20–21 | 8–33 | 5–17 |
| Denver Nuggets | 17 | 65 | .207 | 43 | 13–28 | 4–37 | 3–21 |
| # | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | z-San Antonio Spurs | 60 | 22 | .732 | – |
| 2 | y-Sacramento Kings | 59 | 23 | .720 | 1 |
| 3 | x-Dallas Mavericks | 60 | 22 | .732 | – |
| 4 | x-Minnesota Timberwolves | 51 | 31 | .622 | 9 |
| 5 | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 50 | 32 | .610 | 10 |
| 6 | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 50 | 32 | .610 | 10 |
| 7 | x-Utah Jazz | 47 | 35 | .573 | 13 |
| 8 | x-Phoenix Suns | 44 | 38 | .537 | 16 |
| 9 | Houston Rockets | 43 | 39 | .524 | 17 |
| 10 | Seattle SuperSonics | 40 | 42 | .488 | 20 |
| 11 | Golden State Warriors | 38 | 44 | .463 | 22 |
| 12 | Memphis Grizzlies | 28 | 54 | .341 | 32 |
| 13 | Los Angeles Clippers | 27 | 55 | .329 | 33 |
| 14 | Denver Nuggets | 17 | 65 | .207 | 43 |

### Record vs. opponents

2002-03 NBA Records :
| Team | ATL | BOS | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NOH | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | TOR | UTA | WAS |
| Atlanta | — | 0–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Boston | 3–0 | — | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
| Chicago | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
| Cleveland | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 |
| Dallas | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Denver | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | — | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
| Detroit | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Golden State | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 1–1 | — | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Houston | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | — | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Indiana | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | — | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | — | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
| Memphis | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | — | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Miami | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 |
| Milwaukee | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | — | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–1 |
| Minnesota | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
| New Jersey | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
| New Orleans | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 |
| New York | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Orlando | 1–2 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Philadelphia | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
| Phoenix | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Portland | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Sacramento | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| San Antonio | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Seattle | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Toronto | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 0–2 | 3–1 |
| Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 |
| Washington | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | — |

### 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 | BPG | PPG |
| Kelvin Cato | 73 | 5 | 17.1 | .520 | .000 | .532 | 5.9 | .3 | .5 | 1.2 | 4.5 |
| Jason Collier | 13 | 3 | 8.0 | .472 | | 1.000 | 2.2 | .1 | .2 | .1 | 2.8 |
| Steve Francis | 81 | 81 | 41.0 | .435 | .354 | .800 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 1.7 | .5 | 21.0 |
| Eddie Griffin | 77 | 66 | 24.5 | .400 | .333 | .617 | 6.0 | 1.1 | .7 | 1.4 | 8.6 |
| Juaquin Hawkins | 58 | 10 | 11.8 | .385 | .417 | .500 | 1.3 | .8 | .5 | .1 | 2.3 |
| Tito Maddox | 9 | 0 | 3.9 | .250 | .000 | .625 | .8 | .6 | .3 | .1 | 1.2 |
| Yao Ming | 82 | 72 | 29.0 | .498 | .500 | .811 | 8.2 | 1.7 | .4 | 1.8 | 13.5 |
| Cuttino Mobley | 73 | 73 | 41.7 | .434 | .352 | .858 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 1.3 | .5 | 17.5 |
| Terence Morris | 49 | 0 | 12.9 | .466 | .219 | .786 | 2.6 | .5 | .2 | .3 | 3.7 |
| Boštjan Nachbar | 14 | 1 | 5.5 | .355 | .200 | .500 | .8 | .2 | .1 | .1 | 2.1 |
| Moochie Norris | 82 | 3 | 16.8 | .406 | .244 | .684 | 1.9 | 2.4 | .7 | .0 | 4.4 |
| James Posey$^†$ | 58 | 47 | 28.4 | .439 | .326 | .826 | 4.8 | 1.8 | 1.3 | .2 | 9.3 |
| Glen Rice | 62 | 26 | 24.7 | .429 | .398 | .759 | 2.5 | 1.0 | .4 | .1 | 9.0 |
| Maurice Taylor | 67 | 9 | 20.6 | .432 | .000 | .725 | 3.6 | 1.0 | .3 | .3 | 8.4 |
| Kenny Thomas$^†$ | 20 | 14 | 29.3 | .432 | | .733 | 6.9 | 2.0 | .8 | .3 | 9.9 |

## Awards and records
### Awards

* Yao Ming, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team