Rockets nightmare scenario plays out on final day of regular season

Lately, Houston Rockets games haven't had much gravity. The stakes have been low. With the second seed secured, the Rockets have been coasting. They've taken an opportunity to play some of their less important players.

In tonight's contest against the Nuggets, they changed course - to an extent. The Rockets played most of their core group. Granted, not one Rocket ecliped 30 minutes. Still, Fred VanVleet saw 27 minutes, Amen Thompson saw 26, and Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks all played at least 20. The Rockets didn't treat this like a playoff game, but they did treat it as a dress rehearsal.

It did not go as planned.

Rockets suffer brutal defeat at hands of conference rival

The Nuggets won by a final score of 126-11.

This is not the end of the world. The Rockets didn't put their entire muscle into this one. Still, it's somewhat discouraging to see the Rockets roll out their playoff rotation and suffer this type of loss when they put their best players on the floor.

At least the Nuggets won't be their first-round matchup. Although, Rockets fans shouldn't be looking for good news on that front, either.

Their first-round matchup could potentially be exceedingly difficult.

Rockets rivals potential first-round matchup

Among Rockets fans, these three words will conjure evil spirits.

Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors lost their contest against the Clippers this evening. That means they'll face the Grizzlies in the play-in tournament. The winner of that game will be the seventh seed:

In other words, the Warriors only need to beat the floundering Grizzlies to secure a matchup with the Rockets in the first round.

That's a nightmare scenario for Houston. The Warriors have several advantages over them.

Should they be afraid?

The Rockets need to beat whoever is in front of them

No. Luckily, the Rockets don't seem to be afraid of anybody.

Yes, the Warriors have a tremendous experience advantage over the Rockets. Steph Curry and Draymond Green are multiple-time NBA champions. Jimmy Butler carried the Heat to the Finals not long ago. They will not be easy competition.

Evidently, neither will the Nuggets. That's not to mention the Thunder or the Lakers. Even the Clippers will pose their own challenges. That's the point of the NBA playoffs:

They're difficult.

Ultimately, this is the test the Rockets have earned. Typically, the second seed is expected to beat the seventh seed, but the Rockets aren't a typical second seed. This team has overperformed this year, and they're exceedingly young to be in this position. Even if they lose in the first round, they've had a successful season worth building on.

That's not to waive the white flag. The Rockets have won substantially more games than the Warriors this year for a reason - they've been the better team. If they can capitalize on what's made them tick in 2024-25, they could get the old Warriors monkey off their backs.

If nothing else, these games will be worth watching.