Houston might be as well positioned to go either of those routes as any team in the league outside of Oklahoma City. The Rockets are flush with draft capital and young talent. And there is

He's not. Nobody is. Curry gave Thompson, who is already probably the best defender in the league not named Victor Wembanyama, a quick reality check with 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting in Game 1. He had 36 in Game 3 with Houston's entire defense chasing him in the absence of Jimmy Butler .

HOUSTON — Pushed the the brink of elimination, the Rockets delivered a playoff gem Wednesday night to beat the Warriors and keep their season alive. Fred VanVleet scored 26 points, Amen Thompson added 25, and the Rockets extended their first-round playoff series with a 131-116 rout in Game 5.