Rockets battle Warriors in playoffs after long absence
- The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors will play Game 1 of the Western Conference playoff series this Sunday.
- Houston has not made the playoffs since 2020, facing historical challenges against the Warriors in previous postseasons.
- With a much changed roster, the Rockets aim to establish a new narrative against their old nemesis in this year’s playoffs.
In the United States, the Houston Rockets are set to face the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. EDT. This marks the first playoff appearance for the Rockets since 2020, as they face a familiar opponent who has historically been their nemesis in the postseason. Between 2015 and 2019, the Rockets met the Warriors four times in the playoffs, with Houston losing each series. The Rockets have revamped their roster significantly since those encounters, with no current players remaining from those previous playoff battles. The Rockets enter this playoff series as the second seed in the Western Conference, after a strong regular season showing, finishing 52-30. In contrast, the Warriors are the seventh seed with a record of 48-34. Houston will attempt to put behind them the history of early playoff exits against Golden State, aiming to set a new tone for success in this matchup. Houston’s Fred VanVleet reflects the team’s mentality when he states that they are not focused on past losses, emphasizing, "This ain’t that team." Amidst their playoff push, the Rockets have had some key performances from players like Jalen Green, who averages 21 points per game, and Alperen Sengun, who has been consistent in the last ten games. Despite their recent playoff failures against the Warriors, the Rockets are finding strength in team rebounding, having led the league in offensive rebounds during the regular season. As the series unfolds, both teams will have to contend with their respective strengths and weaknesses. The Rockets have shown promise, while the Warriors, who just secured their playoff spot after a win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament, carry the weight of being playoff veterans. An intriguing battle of physical play and strategic offense is expected, as both teams look to set the tone early in this exciting playoff series.