Even after finishing the 2025-26 regular season with a losing record (37-45), the veteran core of the Golden State Warriors continue to show its postseason mettle.Just ask the Los Angeles Clippers, who had a winning record before losing to Golden State in a play-in tournament game earlier this week. Predictably, brilliant fourth-quarter showings from Stephen Curry and Draymond Green — the iconic duo of four-time NBA champions — made the difference.In many ways, it felt reminiscent of the 2025 Western Conference playoffs, when the seventh-seeded Warriors knocked off the second-seeded Rockets in a first-round battle.It was a bitter pill to swallow in Houston, and particularly for young players such as Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason.

For each, it was the first-ever taste of postseason NBA basketball.But now, a year later, the Rockets are grateful for the experience. In comments from a recent practice leading up to Saturday’s Game 1 of the 2026 playoffs, Sengun said:I would say we had one of the best first playoff experiences ever. We played one of the teams (often) playing in the Finals, and have been in the playoffs for years, and we brought the (series) into Game 7.

We played really well, and they were a really good team.The physicality playing against Draymond, it was amazing and taught me a lot. These matchups now, I know what I’m going to do. Going out there, I can’t be soft.

I’m going over there to dominate. The mental (side) matters, a lot.For Sengun, a two-time NBA All-Star, this year’s first-round matchup versus Lakers big man Deandre Ayton should be friendlier — at least on paper — than last year’s against Green and the Warriors. A five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection, Green remains one of the most feared and respected defenders in league history.

Ayton, on the other hand, has more of a mixed track record.Game 1 between the Rockets (52-30, No. 5 in West) and Lakers (53-29, No. 4) is Saturday night in Los Angeles. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. Central and will be televised and streamed to a national audience via ABC.More: NBA releases complete first-round schedule for Rockets-Lakers playoffsThis article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘I can’t be soft’: Why Houston’s Alperen Sengun feels playoff ready in 2026