As both teams resume play after the 2023 All-Star break, the young and struggling Houston Rockets visit the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors on Friday night in San Francisco.
The Rockets enter with seven straight losses. However, in the third season of a three-year franchise rebuilding plan, their lowly record isn’t all that shocking. Golden State, on the other hand, is probably more disappointed with its record relative to expectations — although injuries to stars like Steph Curry have certainly played a role.
So, can the defending champions get back on track as they enter the closing stretch of the 2022-23 regular season? The Warriors are stuck in the No. 9 spot in the Western Conference standings, meaning they’re closer to missing the play-in tournament altogether than they are a firm berth (top six) in the 2023 playoffs.
Even without Curry, Friday is a great opportunity for Golden State to get right, since the Rockets will be missing Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. With both starting guards out, rookie TyTy Washington could be next in line to receive the first start of his NBA career.