Rockets’ Travel Challenges in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO — The Houston Rockets faced a challenging travel situation during their Sunday night game against the Sacramento Kings. This match marked the culmination of a lengthy journey for the team.

Due to two other teams booking all available rooms, the Rockets had no choice but to stay in San Francisco. They then traveled 85 miles by bus to the Golden 1 Center on Sunday afternoon.

Additionally, unlike most Central Time Zone teams that typically adjust their travel plans by staying overnight after a road game in California, the Rockets opted to fly directly back home after their 6 p.m. local time game.

Background on Travel Arrangements

After receiving numerous inquiries from Bluesky users about this situation, I thought I’d clarify a few points. My experience in travel logistics stems from my time with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Note from Sac: Rockets’ travel day has been *interesting*. With all hotels booked (Lakers and Knicks also in town), they drove from SF and are flying home post-game. After tonight, they will have played 23 of 36 games on the road. Let’s see how that turns out.

— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger.bsky.social) January 11, 2026 at 8:01 PM

The Convergence of Scheduling Conflicts

So, how did the Rockets end up in this predicament? It boiled down to a series of scheduling coincidences. The Kings were hosting three home games within four days, and all three visiting teams—Rockets, Lakers, and Knicks—sought the same hotel for Sunday night. Notably, the Sawyer Hotel is the primary choice for NBA teams in Sacramento, connected to the arena via an underground pathway.

Difficult Choices for the Rockets

While it might seem feasible for the Rockets to find alternative accommodations, that’s typically impractical. Staying at a budget hotel like La Quinta Inn doesn’t suit an NBA team’s extensive needs, which require amenities such as large suites, conference rooms, and capability for specialized travel contracts.

Logistics and Past Decisions

The Rockets had recently traveled from Portland and needed a minimum of two nights in Northern California. The hotel decision was likely made months in advance. NBA teams generally reserve accommodations as soon as their schedule is released and secure contracts with preferred hotels to ensure availability during the playoffs.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The situation was unfortunate for the Rockets, which has played 23 of its first 36 games on the road, a record tied with the NBA. Following the lethargic loss to the Kings, the silver lining is that their next five games will be at home, with a balanced schedule of 12 home and five away games prior to the All-Star break. The Rockets won’t have to cross the Rockies again until the last week of the season when they’ll play the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco on April 5.