Game thread: Rockets vs. Wizards

The Rockets are on the ropes. They’ve now lost four consecutive games after rattling off a 14-game win streak. They blew a 26-point lead last night to the Boston Celtics. Twitter is dripping with hot takes. Just over a week ago, people were calling the Rockets a real threat to Golden State. Now it’s — “Same old Rockets.”

The best way to twist the narrative back is to start winning, and to that end, the Rockets will have some reinforcements tonight. Chris Paul will make his return after missing the last three games with an adducter strain.

Paul will be limited to 25 minutes of action, but for a team struggling with both their play and injuries, getting anyone back, even on a limited basis, is a welcome sight.

The Rockets still have an uphill battle. They’re on the road, on the second night of a back-to-back, playing a rested and pretty good Washington Wizards squad, and they’ll still be without starting center Clint Capela and top bench defender Luc Mbah a Moute.

There are plenty of ups and downs in an 82-game season. The quickest way to make this past four-game stretch a long-forgotten blip on the way to bigger and better things is to get back to winning as soon as possible.

For what it’s worth, the 1993-1994 Rockets had a 15-game win streak and a four-game losing streak in their title season. Anyone remember the four-game losing streak? Me either until I looked it up.

Anyway, I expect the Rockets to be fired up tonight after last night’s collapse. At least they should be. I’ll be looking for a hard-earned win.

Go Rockets!