Eason reveals his dislike for Warriors after Rockets overtime loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The domination of the Warriors over the Rockets over the past decade is well documented, but it appears the one-sided rivalry is taking its toll on one of Houston’s star players.
Golden State managed to avoid a fierce second-half comeback Saturday’s victory 127-121 in overtime against the Rockets at the Toyota Center. Houston big man Tari Eason revealed that the Rockets’ post-halftime surge was fueled by Houston’s disdain for the Warriors.
“I don’t like the Warriors,” Eason told reporters after Saturday’s game. “I just want to win, it really doesn’t get any bigger than that.”
Eason played his part despite the Rockets falling short against the Warriors once again, recording 27 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three blocks for the losing team in Golden State’s overtime victory.
This isn’t the first time Eason’s tension with the Warriors has been on display, as the 23-year-old made waves after taunting Golden State near the end of the 2023-24 NBA season. Eason referenced the 1979 film “The Warriors,” posting a famous line from the film on his Instagram account as Houston closed in on Golden State in the Western Conference standings.
As has become tradition, the Warriors had the last word against the Rockets, with Steph Curry gives the finishing blow with its own homage to the classic film following Golden State’s 133-110 blowout win over Houston a week after Eason’s comments.
Even though the Warriors’ continued dominance over the Rockets predates Eason’s time in the NBA, the Houston forward’s frustration is understandable, having never won a game against Golden State, falling to 0-6 in his career after Saturday’s defeat.
The Warriors have won 14 straight regular season games with the Rockets, also eliminating Houston from the playoffs in every playoff meeting between the two teams, all four having come since 2015.
Simply put, Saturday was another predictable outcome in a one-sided rivalry. However, that chapter erased a career night for Eason, who has yet to enjoy the spoils of victory against Golden State.
