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Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets
Aug 22, 2025 8:45 PM EDT
The Golden State Warriors beat the Houston Rockets in a physical, back-and-forth seven-game first-round playoff series this spring, closing it out 4-3 in Houston on May 4.
Now, months later, the matchup has produced a heated offseason exchange that’s drawn replies from players on both teams as well as one Rockets parent.
In a Turkish-language interview with the Socrates Dergi program posted on August 17, Alperen Sengun said of Golden State, “They’re a very experienced team and they fouled a lot. In the playoffs, they don’t call it. But they were the ones crying all series about fouls not being called.”
Warriors’ star Draymond Green saw the clip and pushed back on social media, posting Wednesday on Threads, “That’s a tough thing to say after you lose… You have to win to (say) stuff like that.”
Now, that reply has drawn another counter from Tari Eason’s mother, Teroya Eason, who replied under a post highlighting Green’s comment with a five-word note: “Oh dear, now it’s war.”
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Warriors vs. Rockets Series Recap
Golden State won the series in seven games, advancing to the West semis after a 103–89 Game 7 win in Houston.
Buddy Hield poured in 33 points in Game 7 and made nine 3-pointers (a Game 7 record) while Stephen Curry supplied 22 points (including 14 in the fourth quarter) to close the series.
Golden State grabbed a 3–1 lead, Houston rallied to force a Game 7, but the Warriors closed it out on the Rockets’ floor.
The series was physical throughout and featured multiple scuffles, flagrant/technical fouls and an emotional finish.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) tangle arms during the second quarter during game two of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) tangle arms during the second quarter of game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. — Source: Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
A Rivalry With Layers
The Rockets-Warriors rivalry has roots stretching back to the mid-2010s, when James Harden’s Rockets teams repeatedly clashed with Curry’s Warriors squads in the playoffs.
After a period of rebuilding, Houston’s 2024-25 season marked a return to contention, bolstered by Sengun’s All-Star leap and the combination of players like Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks.
The Warriors, meanwhile, remain anchored by Curry, Green, and a retooled supporting cast that now includes Hield and Jimmy Butler.
The two teams are scheduled to meet three times in the 2025–26 season, beginning with a high-profile NBA Cup matchup on November 26 in San Francisco.
With Kevin Durant now in Houston and lingering animosity from last spring, each meeting will carry the weight of unfinished business.
About the Author
Rowan Fisher-Shotton
Trending News Writer, Athlon Sports
Rowan Fisher-Shotton is a contributing writer to the Athlon Sports trending and breaking news team.