If you’re a Houston Rockets fan, the mere mention of the Golden State Warriors is probably enough to trigger some painful memories. For the last decade, the Warriors have been the Rockets’ ultimate playoff nemesis—a relentless roadblock standing between Houston and championship dreams. Time after time, season after season, Golden State has shown up when it matters most, delivering blow after crushing blow. And for Rockets fans, the emotional toll is real.
It all began in 2015 when the Warriors burst onto the scene behind the MVP rise of Stephen Curry. That year, they dispatched the Rockets in the Western Conference Finals in five games. It felt like the start of something big for Golden State—and the start of a nightmare for Houston.
In 2016, both teams had their own challenges, but by 2018, the rivalry reached its boiling point. That Western Conference Finals series is still one of the most talked-about playoff clashes in recent NBA history. Houston, led by James Harden and Chris Paul, took a 3–2 series lead and looked poised to finally dethrone the Warriors. But a hamstring injury to Paul in Game 5, followed by an infamous 27 consecutive missed three-pointers in Game 7, crushed the Rockets’ hopes and hearts.
Many Rockets fans still say 2018 was their best shot at a title. They had the talent, the home-court advantage, and even the lead. But once again, Golden State found a way. That series didn’t just end a season—it altered the trajectory of the franchise.
The torture didn’t stop there. In 2019, the Rockets got another chance in the Western Semifinals, and again, they came up short. Kevin Durant went down in Game 5, and Houston still couldn’t capitalize, losing Game 6 on their home floor. That one hurt even more because it felt like the door was finally open—and they couldn’t walk through it.
Fast-forward to today, and the names on both rosters have changed, but the trauma for Houston fans remains the same. Golden State, even with their dynasty years fading, continues to find ways to outmaneuver the Rockets when it counts. Whether it’s a Curry dagger three, a Klay Thompson hot streak, or Draymond Green making hustle plays, the Warriors always seem to rise when the matchup is Houston.
Meanwhile, the Rockets have been rebuilding, trying to regroup from the Harden era, and cultivating young talent. There’s hope with players like Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün, but the ghost of Golden State still lingers. It’s not just about wins and losses—it’s the way the losses have happened. The missed opportunities, the injuries, the bad shooting nights, the close calls. It’s been a saga of frustration.
So yes, I feel for all the Houston fans out there. Ten years is a long time to live in someone else’s shadow. The heartbreak has been real, the rivalry lopsided, and the redemption elusive. But as any sports fan knows, the wheel always turns eventually. Maybe the next chapter in this rivalry will finally bring some relief.
Until then… it’s been a decade of playoff pain—and Warriors fans know it. 😔
