One of the clear weaknesses of the 2025-26 Rockets was outside shooting, as evidenced by Houston’s 30.2% clip in a first-round series loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
That percentage was the lowest among the NBA’s 16 playoff teams.
Enter “shot doctor” Chip Engelland. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports:
The Houston Rockets are hiring Chip Engelland as a new assistant coach on Ime Udoka’s staff, sources tell ESPN. Engelland — well-regarded in player development and shooting speciality — spent the last four seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder after a 17-year run in San Antonio (2005-2022), where he built a relationship with Udoka.
As a point of comparison, the Thunder shot 36.5% from distance during the 2026 playoffs, which ranked third among those 16 teams.
In confirming the news, The Oklahoman’s Justin Martinez writes:
Engelland is known around the NBA as “The Shot Doctor” due to his history of improving players’ shooting mechanics and efficiency. And his impact could be seen during his time with the Thunder.
OKC shot a league-worst 32.3% from deep in 2021-22 before it hired Engelland. It ranked 17th in 2022-23 (35.6%), first in 2023-24 (38.9%), sixth in 2024-25 (37.4%), and ninth in 2025-26 (36.5%).
While working with Udoka for the Spurs, Kawhi Leonard was among those who made clear shooting improvements under Engelland’s watch. A profile of his work in San Antonio is available via Grantland.
In Houston, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason are among the young players whocould potentially benefit. Each shot 36.3% or worse last season, and Sengun (30.5%) and Thompson (21.6%) struggled to space the floor due to the lack of respect that opposing defenses had for their perimeter jump shots.
Financial terms of Engelland’s hire weren’t immediately disclosed, but it would seem that Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta signed off on a significant contract, since it involves a lateral move from another team. The NBA does not have a salary cap on coaching hires.
Engelland, 65, has worked as an NBA assistant since 1999. He has worked with three championship teams — two in San Antonio (2006-07 and 2013-14) and one in Oklahoma City (2024-25).
In Houston, Engelland will be an addition to Udoka’s assistant pool and not a replacement, a team source told Rockets Wire. Other current assistants include Ben Sullivan, Royal Ivey, Garrett Jackson, Cam Hodges, Mike Moser, and Will Dunn.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘Shot doctor’: Assistant coach Chip Engelland leaves Thunder for Rockets
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire | USA TODAY Network
