A new generation of Houston Rockets stars are responsible for the franchise's return to the Western Conference playoffs for the first time since 2020. The most familiar of foes now awaits in Round 1.
Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors secured the West's No. 7 seed with a 121-116 nail-biter victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament Tuesday night. The Warriors' win quickly triggered pangs of déjà vu for basketball fans in the Bayou City. Curry's Warriors eliminated the Rockets in the 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 playoffs, the latter two in heartbreaking fashion.