The Rockets (0-2) host longtime rival Golden State (1-1) on Sunday night. It’s the first time Houston’s veteran offseason acquisitions — led by Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Jeff Green — and 2023 draft picks (Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore) will play at Toyota Center in the NBA’s 2023-24 regular season.
The Rockets are still in search of their first win after losing a late lead in Friday’s heartbreaking overtime loss at San Antonio. VanVleet and Alperen Sengun each had 20-point double-doubles spoiled.
Meanwhile, Golden State returns to a building where their backcourt, comprised of future Hall of Famers Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, has fared quite well over the years. The Warriors enter with momentum after a strong victory at Sacramento on Friday.
Sunday marks the first time Chris Paul, a former Rockets guard from the storied 2017-18 and 2018-19 teams, will play against his old team as a member of the Warriors. Draymond Green is expected to make his 2023-24 debut after sitting out two games with a left ankle sprain.