Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason. Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Rockets player trolls Warriors after 10th straight win

By Sai Mohan | Last updated Mar 28, 2024 8:20 AM ET

With 10 games left in the season, the Warriors (38-34) and Rockets (37-35) are in a grueling battle for the tenth and final play-in position out West. The race for the final spot promises to go down to the wire, especially with the two teams set to lock horns on April 4 in a game that could seal their fates.

Rockets forward Tari Eason is trying to get a head start on the trash-talking before that critical game next week. After his Rockets extended their winning streak to 10 on Wednesday, Eason took to social media to taunt Steve Kerr's team by invoking a line from a cult classic.

As seen below, Eason urged the Warriors to "come out to play," referencing a line from "The Warriors," a 1979 film centered around street gangs from the Bronx and Manhattan. Eason's video was accompanied by the caption, "I know they not liking this!"

“Warriors, come out to play”

Tari Eason IG Story.

(h/t @AhnFireDigital)

pic.twitter.com/GBo3mULS5e
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 28, 2024

Eason's jab was most likely a response to Draymond Green's comments last Sunday. After the Rockets got within a game of the Warriors in the standings, Green was asked about trying to stave off Ime Udoka's red-hot team. In response, Green lashed out by saying, "I don't give a damn about the Rockets."

Draymond Green with an honest postgame about the sputtering Warriors.

“I don’t think we have great habits.”

“We’re a very quiet team.”

“I don’t give a damn about the Rockets.” pic.twitter.com/poNFAVaL5H
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 25, 2024

It would be quite the anti-climatic end to Golden State's season if they lose the 10th and final play-in spot to the Rockets. In February, the Warriors were one of the hottest teams in the league, so much so that some predicted them making a run for a top-six seed and avoiding a play-in scenario.

The Warriors have a considerably easier strength of schedule than the Rockets, with five of their final 10 games to take place against non-playoff teams. However, Houston is playing fearlessly right now and believes it can beat any opposition, as evidenced by its victory over Thunder on Wednesday.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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