# Rockets–Spurs rivalry

The Rockets–Spurs rivalry is an NBA rivalry between the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs. It is considered one of the most bitter rivalries in the league due to both teams being in the same division, contested games, and close proximity. It is also known as the I-10 Rivalry since San Antonio and Houston lie on Interstate 10, it is one of the three National Basketball Association rivalries between teams from Texas, the others featuring Houston and San Antonio versus the Dallas Mavericks.

## Background

The rivalry began in 1976, when the Spurs moved from the American Basketball Association along with the Denver Nuggets, New York Nets, and Indiana Pacers. The Rockets and Spurs competed for the division title, with the Rockets winning it first in 1977 and the Spurs in 1978 and 1979. In 1980, they met in the playoffs for the first time as the Rockets led by Moses Malone and Calvin Murphy beat the Spurs led by George Gervin and James Silas 2–1. The rivalry grew intense as both teams moved from the East to the West. They met again in 1981, this time in the second round. The Spurs had home-court advantage, and were heavily favored, winning the Midwest Division Title and the Rockets only 40–42. The Rockets and Spurs fought to the bitter end before the Rockets held on to win Game 7 capped by Murphy's 42 points. The Rockets would advance to the Finals in a losing cause to the Boston Celtics. The rivalry sparkled in 1995 when the sixth-seeded Rockets led by Hakeem Olajuwon beat the top-seeded Spurs led by MVP David Robinson.
Even after Olajuwon was traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2001, he recalled the fond memories he had of playing against his old San Antonio rival.
   "I think when I walk on to that court (at the Alamodome), maybe then it might hit me, all the games I played against San Antonio and the great rivalry we had,...I'm pretty sure David will be very surprised to see me wearing a new uniform. I'm sure it's going to be strange, but at the same time it will be very special. The memories, the competition, the rivalry. I am very much looking forward to it."
After years of dormancy, the rivalry once again began to show signs of life following the 2023 draft lottery when prospective first overall pick Victor Wembanyama appeared to celebrate the Rockets' failure to obtain the first pick of the draft. Wembanyama was also visibly delighted upon the Spurs' receiving of the first pick because of the team's popularity in his home country of France.

## Notable games
### 1981 NBA Playoffs

In a classic Game 7, the 40–42 Rockets looked to upset the 52–30 Spurs to advance to the Western Conference Finals. Capped by Calvin Murphy's 42 points, the Rockets defeated the Spurs to advance to the Conference Finals and defeated the likewise 40–42 Kansas City Kings, and moved on to the 1981 NBA Finals where they were defeated by the Celtics. The Spurs waited another 18 years to see a Finals berth and Title.

### 1995 Playoffs

In 1995, the Rockets looked to win their second straight NBA championship. Despite a slow start, the 6th-seeded Rockets (47–35) managed to get through their first opponent, the 3rd-seeded Utah Jazz (60–22) 3–2, and the 2nd-seeded Phoenix Suns (59–23) 4–3. The Rockets would encounter the top seeded Spurs waiting (62–20) for them in the Conference Finals. The Spurs had swept their first round opponent, the Denver Nuggets (41–41) before defeating the Los Angeles Lakers (48–34) in 6 games.
Olajuwon displayed perhaps the most impressive moments of his career when the Rockets faced the San Antonio Spurs in the Conference Finals. Recently crowned league MVP Robinson was outplayed by Olajuwon, 35–24 PPG. When asked later what a team could do to "solve" Olajuwon, Robinson told LIFE magazine: "Hakeem? You don't solve Hakeem." The Rockets won every road game that series and beat the Spurs 4–2. The Rockets swept the Orlando Magic in the 1995 NBA Finals 4–0, and secured their second Championship. Thus far, the Rockets had won a division title, conference title and Championship before their rivals.

### 2004 Rockets comeback

It took place on December 9, 2004, after a long fought game in which the Spurs had mostly led (up by 10 points under a minute left) and the Rockets crowd beginning to boo their own team; Tracy McGrady scored 13 points in 35 seconds, including a 3 with 1.7 seconds left to give the Rockets an 81–80 comeback win. The game ended a 7-game losing streak against the Spurs for Houston.

### 2008 Spurs comeback

In 2008, the teams would meet for the first match on November 14 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. The Spurs began the 2008 season with their worst record in franchise history (2–4), as a result of an injury to Manu Ginóbili at the 2008 Summer Olympics, and a sprained ankle to Tony Parker early in the season. This was the first regular season game in which the newly acquired Ron Artest along with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming would face San Antonio. The Rockets led most of the game, going up by as many as 14 with 7 minutes left. Despite missing more than 40 points in scoring from their two injured guards, two time MVP Tim Duncan (22 pts) and rookie George Hill (17 pts) led the Spurs' comeback. They finally took the lead (76–75) with 59 seconds left on a hook shot by Duncan. He blocked a layup that would have given the Rockets the lead with less than 2 seconds left. After the Spurs made 1 of 2 free throws, the Rockets got one last chance to win, but Artest missed a 3 as time expired, giving San Antonio a 77–75 victory.

### 2017 Playoffs

The Spurs entered the 2017 NBA playoffs as the second seeded Western Conference team after securing a 61–21 record, their second straight 60+ win season and 20th consecutive postseason appearance. The Spurs dispatched their first round opponent, the Memphis Grizzlies, in six games.
The Rockets entered the playoffs as the third seeded Western Conference team after securing a 55–27 record, a significant improvement over their 41–21 eighth-place finish the previous season. They were led by the 2016–2017 Coach of the Year, Mike D'Antoni. Under D'Antoni, the Rockets set the NBA record for most 3-pointers made in a single season with 1,181. In the first round, the Rockets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games.
The Spurs and Rockets met in the Western Conference Semifinals. The match-up was the first between the two teams in the playoffs since the 1995 Western Conference Finals. In Game 1, the Rockets defeated the Spurs 126–99. In Game 2 of the series, the Spurs returned the favor with a 121–96 victory. However, the Spurs lost starting point guard Tony Parker indefinitely with a ruptured left quadriceps tendon. The teams split games 3 (Spurs) and 4 (Rockets), evening the series at 2 games apiece. In Game 5 of the series, all-star Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard suffered an injury to his right ankle in the third quarter, which would eventually result in him sitting out for the closing portions of the game. The game was tightly contest throughout, with both teams failing to capitalize on opportunities to take the lead at the end of regulation. In the overtime period, Manu Ginóbili blocked James Harden's three-point attempt in the final seconds to secure the 110–107 victory for the Spurs. The Spurs would close out the series in a 114–75 Game 6 win. The 75 points were the lowest point total of the season for the Rockets. The Rockets, known throughout the season for their prolific offense, were held to less than 100 points three times in the series after being held below 100 only five times in the regular season.

## Season–by–season results

Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs Season–by–Season Results :
1970s (Tie, 9–9)
SeasonSeason seriesat Houston Rocketsat San Antonio SpursOverall seriesNotes
1976–77
Tie
2–2
Tie, 1–1
Tie, 1–1
Tie 2–2
As a result of the ABA–NBA merger, the Rockets and Spurs were placed in the same league. The Spurs were placed in the Eastern Conference and the Central Division, becoming divisional rivals with the Rockets.
1977–78
Spurs
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs 5–3
1978–79
Rockets
3–1
Rockets, 2–0
Tie, 1–1
Tie 6–6
1979–80
Tie
3–3
Rockets, 2–1
Spurs, 2–1
Tie 9–9
On December 9, 1979, Spurs beat the Rockets 138–129, their most points scored in a game against the Rockets. On December 26, 1979, Rockets beat the Spurs 143–110, their most points scored in a game against the Spurs. :
1980s (Rockets, 39–29)
SeasonSeason seriesat Houston Rocketsat San Antonio SpursOverall seriesNotes
1980 Eastern Conference First Round
Rockets
2–1
Rockets, 2–0
Spurs, 1–0
Rockets 11–10
1st postseason series.
1980–81
Tie
3–3
Rockets, 2–1
Spurs, 2–1
Rockets 14–13
Rockets and Spurs were moved to the Western Conference and the Midwest Division.
1981 Western Conference Semifinals
Rockets
4–3
Spurs, 2–1
Rockets, 3–1
Rockets 18–16
2nd postseason series. Rockets go on to lose 1981 NBA Finals.
1981–82
Tie
3–3
Rockets, 2–1
Spurs, 2–1
Rockets 21–19
1982–83
Spurs
5–1
Spurs, 2–1
Spurs, 3–0
Spurs 24–22
1983–84
Spurs
4–2
Rockets, 2–1
Spurs, 3–0
Spurs 28–24
On January 20, 1984, Rockets beat the Spurs 138–104, their largest victory against the Spurs with a 34–point differential.
1984–85
Rockets
4–2
Rockets, 2–1
Rockets, 2–1
Spurs 30–28
1985–86
Rockets
5–1
Rockets, 3–0
Rockets, 2–1
Rockets 33–31
Rockets win the Midwest Division for the first time. Rockets lose 1986 NBA Finals.
1986–87
Rockets
5–1
Rockets, 3–0
Rockets, 2–1
Rockets 38–32
1987–88
Spurs
4–2
Rockets, 2–1
Spurs, 3–0
Rockets 40–36
1988–89
Rockets
6–0
Rockets, 3–0
Rockets, 3–0
Rockets 46–36
Rockets record their first season series sweep against the Spurs.
1989–90
Tie
2–2
Tie, 1–1
Tie, 1–1
Rockets 48–38 :
1990s (Spurs, 29–22)
SeasonSeason seriesat Houston Rocketsat San Antonio SpursOverall seriesNotes
1990–91
Spurs
3–2
Spurs, 2–1
Tie, 1–1
Rockets 50–41
1991–92
Rockets
3–2
Tie, 1–1
Rockets, 2–1
Rockets 53–43
1992–93
Rockets
4–1
Rockets, 3–0
Tie, 1–1
Rockets 57–44
Last season Spurs played at HemisFair Arena. Rockets win the Midwest Division.
1993–94
Spurs
3–2
Tie, 1–1
Spurs, 2–1
Rockets 59–47
Spurs open up Alamodome. Rockets win the Midwest Division. Rockets win 1994 NBA Finals.
1994–95
Spurs
5–1
Spurs, 2–1
Spurs, 3–0
Rockets 60–52
Spurs finish with the best record in the league (62–20).
1995 Western Conference Finals
Rockets
4–2
Spurs, 2–1
Rockets, 3–0
Rockets 64–54
3rd postseason series. Rockets go on to win 1995 NBA Finals.
1995–96
Spurs
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Spurs, 2–0
Rockets 65–57
1996–97
Rockets
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Rockets, 2–0
Rockets 68–58
1997–98
Tie
2–2
Rockets, 2–0
Spurs, 2–0
Rockets 70–60
Tim Duncan makes his debut for the Spurs.
1998–99
Spurs
3–0
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs, 1–0
Rockets 70–63
Spurs record their first season series sweep against the Rockets. Spurs finish with the best record in the league (37–13). Spurs win 1999 NBA Finals, their first NBA championship.
1999–2000
Spurs
4–0
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs, 2–0
Rockets 70–67 :
2000s (Spurs, 28–12)
SeasonSeason seriesat Houston Rocketsat San Antonio SpursOverall seriesNotes
2000–01
Spurs
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Spurs, 2–0
Rockets 71–70
Spurs win 11 games in a row against the Rockets. Last season Rockets held the overall series record against the Spurs. Spurs finish with the best record in the league (58–24).
2001–02
Spurs
4–0
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs 74–71
Last season Spurs played at Alamodome. Spurs take the overall series record for the first time.
2002–03
Spurs
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs 77–72
Spurs open up SBC Center (now known as Frost Bank Center) Last season Rockets played at Compaq Center (formerly known as The Summit). Spurs finish with the best record in the league (60–22). Spurs win 2003 NBA Finals.
2003–04
Spurs
4–0
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs 81–72
Rockets open up Toyota Center.
2004–05
Tie
2–2
Rockets, 2–0
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs 83–74
As part of new realignments, Rockets and Spurs were moved to the new Southwest Division. Spurs win 2005 NBA Finals.
2005–06
Spurs
4–0
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs 87–74
Spurs win 17 home games in a row against the Rockets.
2006–07
Tie
2–2
Spurs, 2–0
Rockets, 2–0
Spurs 89–76
Rockets record their first win, series win and sweep at Houston since the 1996 season. Spurs win 2007 NBA Finals.
2007–08
Tie
2–2
Rockets, 2–0
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs 91–78
2008–09
Tie
2–2
Tie, 1–1
Tie, 1–1
Spurs 93–80
2009–10
Tie
2–2
Tie, 1–1
Tie, 1–1
Spurs 95–82 :
2010s (Spurs, 25–20)
SeasonSeason seriesat Houston Rocketsat San Antonio SpursOverall seriesNotes
2010–11
Spurs
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs 98–83
2011–12
Tie
2–2
Rockets, 2–0
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs 100–85
Spurs record their 100th win against the Rockets.
2012–13
Spurs
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs 103–86
Spurs lose 2013 NBA Finals.
2013–14
Rockets
4–0
Rockets, 2–0
Rockets, 2–0
Spurs 103–90
Rockets' first season series win against the Spurs since the 1996 season and their first season series sweep since the 1988 season. Spurs finish with the best record in the league (62–20). Spurs win 2014 NBA Finals.
2014–15
Spurs
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs 106–91
Rockets win the Southwest Division for the first time.
2015–16
Spurs
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs 109–92
2016–17
Spurs
3–1
Spurs, 2–0
Tie, 1–1
Spurs 112–93
2017 Western Conference Semifinals
Spurs
4–2
Spurs, 2–1
Spurs, 2–1
Spurs 116–95
4th postseason series. In game 5, Spurs beat the Rockets 114–75, their largest victory against the Rockets with a 39–point differential. Spurs record their first postseason series win against the Rockets.
2017–18
Rockets
3–1
Rockets, 2–0
Tie, 1–1
Spurs 117–98
Rockets win the Southwest Division. Rockets finish with the best record in the league (65–17).
2018–19
Rockets
3–1
Rockets, 2–0
Tie, 1–1
Spurs 118–101
Rockets record their 100th win against the Spurs. Rockets win the Southwest Division.
2019–20
Spurs
2–1
Rockets, 1–0
Spurs, 2–0
Spurs 120–102
Rockets win the Southwest Division. :
2020s (Tied, 8–8)
SeasonSeason seriesat Houston Rocketsat San Antonio SpursOverall seriesNotes
2020–21
Spurs
2–1
Spurs, 1–0
Tie, 1–1
Spurs 122–103
Starting with their loss to the Spurs on February 6, 2021, the Rockets went on a 20-game losing streak, setting a franchise record.
2021–22
Spurs
3–1
Spurs, 2–0
Tie, 1–1
Spurs 125–104
2022–23
Tie
2–2
Tie, 1–1
Tie, 1–1
Spurs 127–106
2023–24
Rockets
3–1
Rockets, 2–0
Tie, 1–1
Spurs 128–109
2024–25
Rockets
3–1
Rockets, 2–0
Tie, 1–1
Spurs 129–112 :
Summary of Results
SeasonSeason seriesat Houston Rocketsat San Antonio SpursNotes
Regular season games
Spurs
119–100
Rockets, 64–45
Spurs, 74–36
Postseason games
Rockets
12–10
Spurs, 6–5
Rockets, 7–4
Postseason series
Rockets
3–1
Rockets, 1–0
Rockets, 2–1
Eastern Conference First Round: 1980 Western Conference Semifinals: 1981, 2017 Western Conference Finals: 1995
Regular and postseason
Spurs
129–112
Rockets, 69–51
Spurs, 78–43 :