On January 14, 2025, NBA regular season action continued with two highly anticipated Western Conference matchups. The Rockets narrowly defeated the Grizzlies 120-118, thanks to Jalen Green's efficient performance, securing their fourth consecutive win; while the Warriors suffered a loss on the road against the Raptors, falling 101-104 and experiencing a losing streak.
The Warriors versus the Raptors match was once a close contest. Initially, the Warriors took a temporary lead but were quickly overtaken by the Raptors, trailing 26-28 at the end of the first quarter. In subsequent quarters, both teams exchanged blows, especially in the third and fourth quarters where the score remained tight until the final minute determined the outcome. A key dunk by Adebayo helped the Raptors establish a three-point lead, and although the Warriors made efforts to catch up, they ultimately failed to reverse the situation and lost the game regrettably.
Curry's performance remained outstanding, contributing 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, but the support from other players was insufficient, particularly as the 37-year-old Curry showed signs of fatigue during the game. At the same time, the Warriors' recruitment did not meet expectations, with Schroder failing to provide significant assistance to the team. If the Warriors do not make adjustments soon, they may struggle to maintain competitiveness in the fierce Western Conference race and could even miss out on a play-in tournament spot.
The game between the Rockets and the Grizzlies was filled with drama. Although the Rockets initially trailed, ending the first quarter seven points behind at 23-30, they quickly adjusted their state and overtook the Grizzlies 34-30 in the second quarter. In the second half, Jalen Green became the protagonist of the game, constantly stepping up in crucial moments, ultimately leading the Rockets to a hard-fought victory of 120-118.
In the closing stages of the game, the scores alternated in the lead, with Jalen Green first stabilizing the Rockets' lead advantage from the free-throw line, then helping the Rockets regain the lead with a key layup. Although the Grizzlies also had excellent performances from Morant and Bane, critical mistakes at the decisive moment cost them the opportunity to turn the tide.
This victory allowed the Rockets to further consolidate their position at the forefront of the West, currently leading the Grizzlies by two wins and firmly occupying second place. Meanwhile, the Warriors have slipped to 11th in the Western Conference standings, with a gap of 7.5 wins from the Rockets. With the Rockets' strong rise, the competitive landscape of the West has changed, and the Warriors are no longer an unshakable powerhouse. The Rockets' rise has made people exclaim "the wheel of fortune turns," and for a time, it seems that the Western Conference has entered a new phase.
The Warriors' difficulties have become apparent, with the aging of the team and the failure of new recruits to effectively integrate, causing their performance to plummet. Although Curry still maintains top-level form, his situation of being unable to carry the team alone is likely unsustainable. On the other hand, the Rockets are seeing rapid growth in young players and improving team chemistry, especially with Jalen Green's breakout, filling this young team with endless possibilities. If the Rockets can maintain this state, they are expected to make further progress in the West in the future, and even challenge for higher rankings.
The results of these two games not only affected the current standings but will also have a profound impact on the trend of the upcoming season. For the Warriors, reorganization and adjustment are imperative, while the Rockets need to maintain stable performance and avoid "roller coaster" ups and downs to firmly establish themselves in the competitive West.
