The Houston Rockets are approaching a moment that could define their season: the NBA Cup quarterfinals against their long-time nemesis, the Golden State Warriors. While some might see this matchup as another tough test against a team that's had their number for years, the Rockets are viewing it as a unique opportunity—a chance to not only end their ongoing struggles but to prove themselves on a bigger stage.
Set for Wednesday at the Toyota Center, this high-stakes clash isn't just about advancing in the NBA Cup—it’s a pivotal moment for a franchise that’s been in the midst of a major rebuild. A win here would send the Rockets to Las Vegas for the semifinals, a place where playoff-like pressure and media attention could help further their growth. But to get there, they’ll need to conquer a foe that’s haunted them for so long—the Golden State Warriors.
For the Rockets, facing the Warriors is nothing new. In fact, they’ve become all too familiar with the challenges the Warriors bring, particularly since Golden State’s dynasty days. From the 2019 playoff heartbreaks to the recent regular-season losses, the Rockets’ track record against Golden State is less than stellar. In fact, they’ve lost 15 straight games to the Warriors, a streak that includes multiple defeats this season, even with Stephen Curry sidelined. The latest loss, just last week, left Rockets coach Ime Udoka particularly frustrated, calling it “one of our softest games since I’ve been here.”
"Since I came into the NBA, I couldn’t have any win against Golden State," said Rockets center Alperen Şengün, who has struggled against the Warriors, averaging just 11.9 points in his career matchups with them. For a player like Şengün, who has emerged as one of the brightest young stars in the league, this matchup represents a personal challenge as much as it does a team hurdle. "We just have to go and fight. We’ve got to break that, whatever it is," he added, referencing the Rockets' ongoing losing streak.
For the Rockets, facing Golden State is a mental and emotional battle, particularly for players who weren’t around during the glory years of the Warriors' dominance. The last time the Rockets managed to defeat the Warriors was in February 2020, when veteran Jeff Green, playing for Houston on a 10-day contract, led the Rockets to a stunning 30-point victory. Green, who played for several other teams before returning to Houston in 2023, remains the only Rocket in recent memory to have a win over the Warriors.
For the current iteration of the Rockets, the past is behind them. The team is young and still finding its identity, and the ghosts of previous seasons—especially the heart-wrenching playoff losses to Golden State—are now distant memories. "I’m not counting anything before I got here," said Fred VanVleet, a crucial addition to the team in recent years. "For it to be them, a good team that we struggled with last year and beat us twice this year, it’s a good test for us. I think it’s a good steppingstone and a good opportunity." VanVleet's perspective is clear: this matchup is about the now, not about revisiting painful history.
This quarterfinal game in the NBA Cup offers much more than a chance to exact revenge on Golden State. It’s about growth. It’s about testing the Rockets against one of the league’s best teams in a setting that will have playoff intensity. “When you advance early on (in the tournament) for the chance to go further, it’s a little different,” Udoka said. “You want to play meaningful games, and this is one. You want to play against a team that’s beaten you a few times in a row. Quite a bit. We just played recently and felt like we let one get away.”
The stakes are high in this quarterfinal matchup, and it’s not just about getting to the next round. It’s about proving the Rockets are no longer just a team in rebuild mode, but a squad that can compete in high-pressure situations. Advancing to the semifinals in Las Vegas could be a major milestone for a team that has spent the past few years in the depths of a rebuilding phase. The Rockets have already shown significant strides this season, but beating the Warriors in this high-stakes setting would take their growth to another level.
“What we talked about last year was playing meaningful games in March and April when we had a chance (to reach the play-in games),” Udoka reflected. “There’s more pressure, more expectations behind it. So this kind of goes into that category where there is something on the line. You want to put a feather in your cap and have some accomplishments under your belt.” For a team as young as the Rockets, these kinds of experiences are invaluable, as they provide players with a glimpse of what the postseason—and potentially future championships—will feel like.
And there’s another layer to the story. While the Rockets are still a relatively young team, the Warriors remain a well-oiled machine with championship pedigree. Led by Curry and the returning Draymond Green, the Warriors are as dangerous as ever, and they’ll be looking to add another win to their collection against the Rockets. But Houston isn’t without its own weapons. Forward Tari Eason, who missed last week’s game against Golden State, is back in action and has the chance to make a major impact. Eason had a breakout performance in the season’s first meeting with the Warriors, scoring a career-high 27 points and leading the Rockets in a valiant comeback from a 31-point deficit.
“This kind of game gives us some motivation,” said Şengün. “They give us some pride. Whenever we played tournament games this year, it felt like a playoff game.” That feeling, that “win or go home” mentality, is exactly what the Rockets need. The NBA Cup has introduced a fresh level of intensity to the regular season, and while it might have started as an experimental format, it’s quickly become a legitimate opportunity for teams to gain playoff-like experience.
For VanVleet, a former NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, the tournament offers something more than just another regular-season game. “If you’re doing well, it matters. If you’re in it, it matters,” he said. “Last year, we were out of it, so it didn’t matter. It’s fun. It’s especially good for a young team like us that can take any experience, especially a win-or-go-home mentality where everything is on the line.” For the Rockets, playing in such an environment is crucial to their development, and a win in the NBA Cup could serve as a steppingstone toward future success.
So, while the Rockets may face a tough challenge in the Warriors, this game is much more than just another chapter in a long-running rivalry. It’s a chance for redemption, growth, and proving that they belong among the league’s elite teams. Whether they win or lose, the experience will serve them well as they continue their journey toward building a championship contender. The Rockets are ready for the challenge. Now, they just need to show it.
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