With a win, Golden State hopes to close out the series and move on to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round.
However, the Warriors missed the opportunity to advance in Game 5 on Wednesday, suffering a lopsided defeat in Houston where the Rockets took control early and never looked back.
Due to the blowout loss, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr opted to rest his starters in the second half, allowing key players to conserve energy ahead of Friday’s pivotal game.
Leading into Game 6, the NBA revealed scheduling details for the potential second-round matchup. If Golden State wins on Friday, their series against the Timberwolves would begin Monday, May 5. But if Houston forces a Game 7, the second round would start Tuesday, May 6.
Before looking ahead, the Warriors must still get past the Rockets. Whether they do it in Game 6 or in a possible Game 7 on Sunday, they may face a disadvantage heading into the next round. The Timberwolves finished their first-round series against the Lakers on Wednesday, giving them a few extra days to rest.
This added rest could be significant, especially since Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler have been dealing with injuries throughout the series. Fortunately, Wednesday’s one-sided loss did provide both players with some unexpected recovery time, which they’ll aim to use to their benefit in hopes of finishing off Houston at Chase Center.
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