Rockets’ Tari Eason criticized for T-shirt trolling Warriors during humiliating loss to Golden State

In Houston, following the Golden State Warriors’ 133-110 victory over the Rockets, players Draymond Green and Klay Thompson responded to Rockets forward Tari Eason’s pre-game taunt by expressing their thoughts on sideline trash-talk.

Thompson criticized Eason’s actions, especially considering his absence from the game due to a season-ending surgery. He emphasized the importance of backing up taunts with on-court performance, stating that talking smack should be reserved for those actively competing.

Green echoed Thompson’s sentiments, acknowledging the entertainment value of trash-talk but emphasizing the necessity of playing to validate it. Despite Eason’s shutdown for the season due to a medical issue, Green recognized Eason’s competitive nature and hoped for future matchups where both teams are vying for playoff seeding.

The Warriors’ victory over the Rockets essentially secured them a top-10 seed, thwarting Houston’s recent surge in the standings. Just over a week ago, the Rockets were close behind the Warriors, but Golden State’s win now puts them comfortably ahead.

Looking ahead, Green emphasized the importance of focusing on improving their position in the standings. While the Rockets aren’t mathematically eliminated from the play-in tournament, the Warriors’ recent strong performances make it unlikely for them to drop significantly in the rankings.

After stringing together several wins, the Warriors are eyeing higher seeds, with upcoming games against tough opponents like the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. Coach Steve Kerr stressed the need to maintain momentum and focus on their performance, regardless of the standings, to secure their playoff berth.