Maanav Gupta

Joined: Feb 1, 2026

Maanav Gupta is a staff writer for Houston Cougars on SI and Houston Rockets on SI. He graduated from the University of Houston in the summer of 2025 with his bachelor’s in journalism and a minor in Spanish. Gupta spent three years at the student newspaper, The Daily Cougar, and also covered the 2025 Final Four and National Championship as Houston beat writer for College Basketball Review. He also has his own YouTube channel, Maanav’s Sports Talk, where he has interviewed professional athletes and broadcasters like Jim Nantz, Jose Altuve, J.J. Watt, Rich Eisen, and Alperen Sengun. Gupta was also a contributor to the Houston athletic program as a student. You can find Gupta on X, Instagram and TikTok @MGSportsTalk.

May 26, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Charles Barkley (left) and Draymond Green (right) look on in the first half between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves during game three of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

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Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone gave an interesting answer to how the team viewed the point room during the season and what they're looking for next season.

Apr 24, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) reacts after a play during overtime against the Los Angeles Lakers during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. broke down their offensive struggles, why they lost the series and what they have to grow in for the future.

Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) moves the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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The Houston Rockets were incredibly worse without Amen Thompson on the floor during the first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka watches game action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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What did Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka say after the Game 6 season ending loss to the Los Angeles Lakers?

May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) rebounds against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first quarter game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

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The Houston Rockets' season ended against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 at home, and it got ugly.

Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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The Houston Rockets' first round series against the Los Angeles Lakers has gotten plenty of national attention, and the top basketball show in the country analyzed the latest push from Houston.

Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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The Houston Rockets kept their season alive in impressive fashion with a hard-earned Game 5 win on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Apr 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball as Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) defends during the first quarter during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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The Houston Rockets put together a strong defensive effort in Game 4 that stifled LeBron James.

Apr 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) huddles with teammates during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun gave a speech that fueled them to victory in Game 4. Here's why that happened.

Apr 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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The Houston Rockets dominated the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 at home to win their first game of the series.

Apr 24, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reacts after a play during overtime against the Los Angeles Lakers during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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It's up to the Houston Rockets' young core to save their season, and the group has no excuses for their poor decisions.

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The Houston Rockets' Game 3 loss vs the Los Angeles Lakers was the latest and most disappointing episode of blown leads this season for Houston.

Maanav Gupta

Joined: Feb 1, 2026

Charles Barkley's Strong Response to Draymond Green's Shot of His Days in Houston

Why P.J. Tucker Will Always Remain a Legend Among Rockets Fans

The Rockets Cannot Escape This Painful Playoff Trend?

Winners and Losers from the Rockets 2025-26 Season

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Rockets GM Rafael Stone Gives Surprising Answer to The Point Guard Situation

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Jabari Smith Jr. Gives Brutally Honest Thoughts on Roles and Struggles in Game 6

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Rockets Relied on Amen Thompson too Much During Series vs. Lakers

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Ime Udoka's Breakdown of Season Ending in First Round and Look Ahead to Future

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Three Takeaways from the Rockets' Season-Ending Blowout Loss to Lakers in Game 6

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What Inside the NBA Said About Rockets Forcing Game 6 vs Lakers

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Three Takeaways from the Rockets' Huge Game 5 Road Win over Lakers to Stay Alive

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Rockets Made History on Defense Against LeBron James

Alperen Sengun Explains The Reason Behind His Speech That Motivated the Rockets

Three Takeaways from the Rockets' Game 4 Blowout Win over the Lakers

Rockets' Young Core Understands They Have to Be Smarter

Rockets Find Another Way to Lose Thanks to Late Game Collapse