HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets are gearing up for a pivotal postseason campaign as they prepare to encounter the Golden State Warriors, a team that has historically been a stumbling block for them in the playoffs. Dating back to 2015-2019, the Rockets faced the Warriors four times during the playoffs, and each time, they faced the unfortunate outcome of elimination. Now, after a brief hiatus from the playoffs since 2020, the No. 2 seed Rockets will once again vie against their familiar postseason rival — the seventh-seeded Warriors, led by the exceptional talents of Steph Curry — in the first game of a best-of-seven Western Conference series.
Curry, along with teammates Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, has been a constant presence since those intense playoff battles with the Rockets, notably including triumphs in the Western Conference finals in 2015 and 2018. Interestingly, the current Houston lineup contains no members who were active in those previous contests. This revamped Rockets team, with a different composition and mindset, is not burdened by past defeats.
Fred VanVleet, one of the key figures on this year’s team, emphasized this point succinctly, stating, “This ain’t that team.” His assertion marks a stark transformation in the Rockets’ identity, having transitioned from a squad once anchored by James Harden, who demanded a trade, triggering a complete rebuild. This restructuring pushed Houston to the bottom rungs of the NBA for three consecutive seasons. However, under the guidance of Coach Ime Udoka, who took the reins last season, the Rockets improved to a 41-41 record and have further developed to end their playoff absence.
“We’re not just happy to be here,” Udoka declared, underscoring the team’s ambition to make a significant impact. The fresh-faced Rockets now lean on veterans like VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, alongside promising young stars such as Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, and Amen Thompson, all picked in high draft positions.
Steph Curry acknowledged the threat posed by this rising Houston team, noting, “They are the No. 2 seed for a reason. They have played well all year long. They play a certain physical style of defense, and they are super athletic.”
Meanwhile, the Warriors secured the seventh seed with a crucial 121-116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the Play-In Tournament, reclaiming their playoff spot after failing to advance last season. Dillon Brooks, notorious for his aggressive play, ranked second in the league for technical fouls with 16, only outpaced by a few others. In this series, Brooks is paired against Green — another player familiar with technical fouls, future fouls, and ejections. Their dynamic sets the stage for a potentially fiery matchup.
Brooks responded humorously when questioned about potential ejections during the series, quipping, “I don’t know. I’m not going to get ejected. I’ll leave that to somebody else.” Both teams and their supporters are prepared for an intense series.
On the Warriors’ side, Jimmy Butler’s skill in drawing fouls and converting from the free-throw line has become invaluable. Despite an uncharacteristic off-night, shooting 12 for 18 from the stripe, his ability to draw contact offers crucial stabilization to the team, according to coach Steve Kerr. Butler has become a pivotal player since his acquisition from the Miami Heat, leading the Warriors to a strong 23-8 finish in the regular season.
Despite being lower seeds, the Warriors are perceived as favorites to win the series, boosted by their recent success and title wins in 2015, 2018, and most recently, 2022. The Rockets, however, remain focused on their game and dismiss outside predictions. Coach Udoka emphasized that his team is undeterred by their underdog status.
One aspect that may influence the series is rebounding. The Warriors, who have struggled in securing rebounds, were notably out-rebounded in recent contests against the Grizzlies and the Clippers. Kerr has stressed the importance of scrapping for every loose ball, as the Rockets led the league this season with an average of 14.6 offensive rebounds.
Another player looking to make an impact is Jonathan Kuminga. Although his playing time has decreased since Butler joined, Green confidently anticipates Kuminga’s ability to contribute against the Rockets. “He’ll contribute,” Green stated, emphasizing the need for Kuminga to remain mentally prepared.
The stage is set for an enthralling series, promising high-energy play, tactical brilliance, and a showdown of competitive rivalries as both teams strive for greatness.