The Houston Rockets have officially secured the number one seed in the Western Conference, marking a historic moment for the franchise. With the Golden State Warriors falling 107-116 at home to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Rockets not only locked up the top position but also forced the Warriors to settle for second place—something that hasn’t happened since Steve Kerr took over as Golden State’s head coach. In fact, this season now stands as the Warriors’ least impressive under Kerr’s leadership. While fans worldwide remain glued to sports action, including the fast-paced drama of Live Cricket BPL, the NBA playoff landscape is taking clear shape.
As a result of the standings, the Rockets will face the eighth seed in the West, while the Warriors prepare for a first-round battle with the seventh seed. Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni noted that Luc Mbah a Moute’s return would depend on how he responds in practice, particularly Thursday’s session. If Mbah a Moute, Trevor Ariza, and Chris Paul are all cleared, the Rockets could finally field a full-strength lineup—something they’ve only managed six times in their last 26 games. When asked about their recovery status, both James Harden and Clint Capela, who missed the previous game against the Chicago Bulls, reported feeling better, although their return remains uncertain.
Harden, dealing with a nagging right hand injury, mentioned that skipping one game has helped significantly. Meanwhile, D’Antoni shared that Houston will begin experimenting with different lineup combinations to fine-tune rotations before the playoffs. With the Warriors’ loss, the Rockets’ claim to the West’s top seed is now undisputed—something Golden State hoped to delay as long as possible. Yet, fate had other ideas. Despite welcoming back Kevin Durant and Draymond Green, the Warriors couldn’t capitalize, especially after Durant was ejected late in the first half, leaving the team short-handed for the final two quarters.
For Houston, this is more than a regular season achievement—it’s the first time in franchise history they’ve finished atop the Western Conference. That momentum will be crucial as they chase a deep playoff run. And just like in the thrilling matchups seen throughout Live Cricket BPL, fans know that seeding is just the beginning—the real battle is yet to come. With health, depth, and chemistry all aligning, the Rockets are poised to make their mark in the postseason spotlight, much like champions do in any elite sporting arena.