During the 2024–25 Western Conference first-round playoff series, a heated rivalry began between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. The Rockets, driven by their young talents, were ultimately eliminated after a grueling seven-game series marked by disputes over physicality and refereeing decisions. Houston’s camp argued that officiating favored Golden State, while the Warriors believed the Rockets lacked the toughness necessary to compete against them. Although tensions simmered throughout the postseason, the conflict seemed to temporarily fade afterward.
Comments from Alperen Sengun Spark New Confrontation
The conflict reignited on August 18, 2025, when Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun reignited debate during a podcast interview. Sengun described the Warriors as “a very experienced team” that frequently committed fouls without being called and accused them of consistently complaining throughout the series. His remarks reopened unresolved issues from the series, prompting a strong response just two days later.
Draymond Green’s Sharp Reply Intensifies the Feud
Warriors forward Draymond Green responded directly to Sengun’s comments on August 20, asserting that such criticisms should come only from a winning team. Green emphasized this point with a succinct comeback, telling Sengun to “Hold that L,” a dismissive way to say accept the loss. What might have ended as a brief exchange escalated further when the Rockets’ narrative expanded beyond players themselves.
Involvement of Tari Eason’s Mother Adds Fuel to the Fire
On August 21, Tari Eason’s mother, Teroya, entered the fray with a brief but provocative statement: “Oh Dear, now it’s war.” This comment quickly attracted a reaction from Green, who addressed her directly, mockingly predicting how the Rockets would approach the coming season games. Using humor and provocation, Green wrote,
“They gone come out playing hard as hell… in a regular season game,”
accompanied by laughing emojis. He continued,
“Somebody tell Mama Eason, she said it was war before they took the L,”
implying the Rockets were preemptively declaring conflict despite their prior defeat. This maneuver demonstrated Green’s mastery of psychological tactics to escalate disputes.
Ongoing Fallout and Potential Impact on Future Encounters
This exchange between Draymond Green and the Rockets organization, including players and family members, reflects the ongoing competitiveness and emotional investment between these Western Conference rivals. The involvement of Tari Eason’s mother adds a new dynamic to the discourse, heightening public interest and media coverage. How this verbal sparring will influence the teams’ approach to the upcoming <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA season remains to be seen, but fans and analysts alike expect the rivalry to continue with increased intensity both on and off the court.