The 1981 Rockets were the first team since the 1959 Minneapolis Lakers to make the NBA Finals with a losing record.
It was head coach Del Harris's second season, and he led Houston to a 40–42 record.
The Rockets tied with the Kansas City Kings for second place in the Midwest Division behind San Antonio.
Houston had one game remaining to be played on its regular-season schedule when the team qualified for the playoffs.
[4] During the season, point guard Calvin Murphy set two NBA records, both of which had previously been held by Rick Barry.