when was the last time the rockets were in the finals
1996–97
title: 2017–18 Houston Rockets season text: Boston Celtics in the Finals, and it would've been James Harden's first conference Finals appearance since 2012 (when he was a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder), and the first conference Finals appearance for Chris Paul in his 13-year career. Despite their unlucky defeat at the hands of the Warriors, this Rockets team is still considered one of the most dominant squads in NBA history. 2017–18 Houston Rockets season The 2017–18 Houston Rockets season was the 51st season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and their 47th in the Houston area. The Rockets acquired star point guard title: Houston Rockets all-time roster text: as champions the next year, and Olajuwon won Finals MVP once again. To date, the Rockets have not advanced to the finals again. The Rockets missed the playoffs from 1999–2003, and did not make the playoffs again until after they drafted Yao Ming in 2002. Since then, the Rockets have had a winning season in all but two of the next 14 seasons and, led by James Harden, advanced to the conference finals in 2015. The following is a list of all the players, both past and current, who have appeared in at least one game for the franchise. ("Updated title: 2017–18 Houston Rockets season text: Finals to the eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors in seven games. During the series' pivotal game seven, and without an injured Chris Paul, the Rockets would set an NBA Playoff record by missing 27 straight 3-point shots. The Rockets would lose to the Warriors that game by a score of 101–92, missing out on their chance to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1995, when they swept the Shaq/Penny-led Orlando Magic in four games to win their second and most recent NBA Championship. The Rockets were expected by many to face the Cleveland Cavaliers or title: 2016–17 Houston Rockets season text: 2016–17 Houston Rockets season The 2016–17 Houston Rockets season was the 50th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), 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 title: 2016–17 Houston Rockets season text: the San Antonio Spurs. Traded mid-season "Source:" 2016–17 Houston Rockets season The 2016–17 Houston Rockets season was the 50th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), 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,