Rockets Receive Teachable Moment Amid Diminished Play-In Tournament Hopes vs. Warriors

The Houston Rockets' Play-In Tournament hopes took a major hit in a loss to the Warriors, which also created a teaching moment for the young franchise.

Apr 4, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots against / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON — The Golden State Warriors have had many moments rejoicing after a massive win inside the Toyota Center since May 2015. However, they may have had their most personal celebration Thursday night following a 133-110 victory over the Houston Rockets. 

On their way back to the visitor's locker room after their sixth consecutive win, they yelled, "Warriors, come out to Play," referring to Tari Eason's viral social media post on March 27.

"That's pretty lame — especially if you're not even playing," Klay Thompson said after his 29-point performance. "It's one thing if you are out there playing, out there competing and you can back it up. But you're just going to be trolling from the sideline? What are you doing?"

Apr 4, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots against / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The loss gave the Rockets their third consecutive defeat since their 11-game winning streak ended against the Dallas Mavericks Sunday night. But more importantly, the loss placed the Rockets four games back of the Warriors for the 10th and final Play-In Spot in the Western Conference.

With six games left in the season, the Rockets would have to go 5-1 down the stretch amid a massive collapse by Golden State to reach the Play-In Tournament.

The embarrassing defeat left coach Ime Udoka questioning the team's toughness and competitiveness. But amid his frustration, Udoka hopes the embarrassing loss will be a teachable moment they can benefit from in the future.

"I would like to think it will be beneficial to look back on this game and see how we did not rise to the occasion," Udoka said. "Both teams were playing for something. But one team came out more focused and more aware of the situation, and it felt like we didn't.

"Being out physical, them bullying us for offensive rebounds, or non-communication and layup drills. It was within striking range a few times for how hot they shot in the first quarter. They either out-smarted us or out-bullied us."

Despite the agony Golden State has caused Houston over the past nine years, the Rockets can look to the Warriors as an example of how a disheartening defeat can catapult a team out of basketball purgatory.

A year before the Warriors began their dynasty, Golden State sustained their most heartbreaking defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers during the first round of the 2014 playoffs.

The Warriors had won 51 games during the regular season and was a young and exciting team that could upset any opponent — similar to the Rockets' 13-2 run in March.

The Clippers eliminated the Warriors in seven games during the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Golden State's postseason elimination led to a weeping locker room, but the defeat instilled a foundation that later led to four championship titles. Thompson told Inside the Rockets that the loss against the Clippers was a "great learning experience."

"It was a tough way to go out, but it springboarded us into a run that is still going," Thompson said. "All young teams have to go through those lows. You have to learn from it. You have to take the good with the not-so-good."

The Warriors' pain inside the Staple Center coincided with the somber mood that filled the Rockets locker room a decade later.

Reaching the Play-In Tournament once appeared to be a realistic goal when Eason took to social media to mock the Warriors. But after recording their 13th consecutive loss to Golden State, the Rockets' season will likely end without the franchise reaching the postseason for the fourth straight year.

The loss weighed heavily upon each player who stepped onto the court. But despite the dismay, the Rockets vowed to grow from their sadness.

"Meaningful games this late in the season are all teachable moments," Fred VanVleet said. "It’s certainly a teachable moment for our team tonight.

"You take your lumps like a man, standing straight up on your feet and you move to the next game. This one hurts. It sucks. It’s not a representation of who we are, or who we want to be. But there’s more basketball to play and there’s opportunities for us to get it back."