Warriors crush Rockets for franchise-record 18th straight loss

Photo courtesy of Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Well, so much for being hopeful.

Despite the return of Christian Wood, the Rockets were unable to end their now historically bad losing streak, dropping their eighteenth consecutive game in a loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night by a score of 108-94.

This time, it wasn't Stephen Curry -- as he is prone to doing -- killing the Rockets in the box score. Curry scored 18 points in 30 minutes before being taken out of the game due to a bruised tailbone suffered in the second half. He would not return.

In his place, the mantle of Rocket-killer was shared among the rest of his teammates. Draymond Green dropped a 16 point triple-double with Curry out (16p/12r/10a), facilitating the offense in the former MVP's stead. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins poured in 19 and 17 points, respectively. Golden State's leading scorer didn't even start the game; Jordan Poole scored a team-high 23 points on six made threes in only 24 minutes.

Meanwhile, it was the same old story for the Rockets on offense, despite Wood's return. Poor shooting percentages (41.3% total, 25.9% from three) stymied Houston, and the squad failed to reach triple digits in four quarters.

That isn't to say there weren't any highlights. Once again, Kevin Porter Jr. put in another solid performance, going for a team-high 25 points with seven assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Christian Wood, playing on a minutes restriction, also had a nice first game back from injury. The franchise big man scored 21 points along with nine rebounds on the evening, going an efficient 8-12 from the field in less than 27 minutes played.

Though it meant little in the end, Wood also managed to add to his highlight reel with a nasty ankle-breaking dribble move on Draymond Green, making the shot while he was at it.

The unfortunate reality, however, is that these Rockets managed to achieve a record no other team before them had ever done. Yes, injuries played a factor, and all the drama surrounding the team hasn't helped, but regardless, the 2020-21 Houston Rockets have lost more games in a row than any other squad in franchise history, surpassing the previous record of 17 straight losses all the way back in the 1968 season.

This team is better than that, obviously, but it's an ugly blemish on what has been a downright hideous season for Houston.

The Rockets' next chance to win for the first time in roughly two months will come on Friday night against the equally-woeful Detroit Pistons. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM CT.