The Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz are longtime Western Conference rivals, and former NBA champion Vernon Maxwell was happy to have some fun at their expense after Utah’s Game 7 loss on Tuesday night.
With Denver’s 80-78 victory, the 2019-20 Jazz became just the 12th team in NBA history to lose a playoff series after previously taking a 3-1 lead. The Nuggets, meanwhile, advance to the second round to face the Los Angeles Clippers (on the opposite side of the bracket from Houston).
Back in the day, Maxwell’s Rockets defeated Utah, 4-1, in the 1994 Western Conference Finals on their way to Houston’s first NBA title. In all, the Rockets and Jazz have played nine playoff series against each other.
Though “Mad Max” has long been retired, he’s repeatedly used his Twitter account in recent years to throw some playful jabs at Utah fans.
Tuesday night was no exception:
My heart goes out to the Utah Jazz fans. I don’t know what it’s like to blow a 3-1 lead in a playoff series but I imagine it is heartbreaking. 😂😂😂
— Vernon Maxwell (@VernonMaxwell11) September 2, 2020
The Rockets have never lost a 3-1 lead in a playoff series.
Of course, should Houston lose its Game 7 on Wednesday to Oklahoma City after previously having series leads of 2-0 and 3-2, Maxwell can probably still expect Jazz fans to clap back in his mentions.
With Maxwell undoubtedly cheering on his old team, Game 7 between the Rockets and Thunder is set to tip off at 8:00 p.m. Central — with a national broadcast on ESPN and a regional version (with Houston announcers) on AT&T SportsNet Southwest. The winner advances to the second round of the playoffs to face the Los Angeles Lakers.
I'd like 2 apologize Jazz fans that were offended by my tweets. If I knew u guys had internet in Utah I would've never made those tweets.
— Vernon Maxwell (@VernonMaxwell11) March 9, 2017
