With a 3-0 record going in, the Houston Rockets know that if they improve to 4-0 on Thursday night, they will qualify for the NBA’s 2023 summer-league playoffs (format) in Las Vegas. Each team owning a top-four record after four games, with average point differential used to break any ties, advances to a four-team playoffs.
For Houston, the math is simple. Entering Thursday, the Rockets were one of only four summer teams still unbeaten. Thus, if they stay that way after facing Golden State, they play in Sunday’s semifinals. A win in that game would place them in Monday’s championship.
The good news is that on paper, the Rockets should have a decent chance of advancing. Rookie guard Brandin Podziemski is one of the only widely recognizable names on the summer Warriors (0-3), who have yet to win a game in Las Vegas and will be on night two of a back-to-back. Houston hasn’t played since Tuesday afternoon.
Then again, the Rockets are short-handed, with rookie guard Amen Thompson (left ankle sprain) and second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) out for a second straight game. Houston may need another strong game from two-way players Trevor Hudgins and Darius Days, as well as rookie Cam Whitmore, to advance.