The Golden State Warriors kicked off their postseason journey with a thrilling victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night, April 20, 2025. The Warriors, who entered the playoffs as the seventh seed, secured a solid 95-85 win at the Toyota Center in Houston, showcasing the talents of their star player, Steph Curry.
Draymond Green, the Warriors' veteran forward, emphasized the importance of Curry's performance for the team's success. "In order for us to win basketball games it requires Steph Curry to be great," Green stated. And great he was, as Curry scored 31 points, shooting 12 of 19 from the field and hitting 5 of 9 from beyond the arc. His electrifying play included several circus shots that left teammates and fans in awe.
Joining Curry in the scoring effort was Jimmy Butler, who made a significant impact in his playoff debut for the Warriors after being traded from Miami earlier in February. Butler contributed 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals, proving to be a valuable asset in the postseason.
The game was marked by a commanding Warriors lead, which reached as high as 23 points in the third quarter. However, the Rockets, who entered the playoffs as the second seed, fought back, narrowing the gap to 69-60 by the start of the fourth quarter. A key basket by Amen Thompson with about 5 and a half minutes remaining brought the Rockets within four points, igniting hope for the home crowd.
In response, Curry delivered a crucial three-pointer shortly after, extending the Warriors' lead to 82-75. The Rockets would not go down without a fight, as Fred VanVleet hit a three of his own, cutting the deficit down to four again with just two and a half minutes left. However, Moses Moody stepped up for the Warriors, sinking a three-pointer that initiated a decisive 7-0 run, pushing the score to 91-80 and effectively sealing the game.
Despite the win, Green acknowledged that there is room for improvement. "I think we can play a lot better. That’s the encouraging part about it. I don’t think we played very well at all," he remarked, indicating that the Warriors have higher expectations for their performance as the series progresses.
On the other side, the Rockets faced challenges, particularly in their shooting. Alperen Sengun shone in his first playoff game, scoring 26 points, but VanVleet and Jalen Green struggled significantly, combining for just 7 of 34 shooting. VanVleet's night was particularly tough, as he connected on only 2 of 13 attempts from three-point range. The Rockets ended the game with a disappointing 6 of 29 from beyond the arc and 11 for 20 on free throws.
Warriors' head coach Steve Kerr celebrated his 100th career playoff victory with this win, tying him with Larry Brown for the sixth-most playoff wins in NBA history. "I’m lucky to coach the guys that I do. Players win games. It’s our job to try to help them along a little bit here and there," Kerr said, reflecting on the team's performance and his coaching career.
The Warriors secured their playoff spot after a hard-fought 121-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the Play-In Tournament just days earlier. With this win, they continue their history of playoff success against the Rockets, having eliminated them in previous postseason matchups from 2015 to 2019.
Looking ahead, the Warriors and Rockets will meet again for Game 2 on Wednesday night, April 23, 2025, in Houston. The Warriors will aim to build on their momentum while the Rockets will look to adjust and bounce back from their Game 1 defeat. As the playoffs unfold, both teams will be eager to showcase their skills and strategies in what promises to be an exciting series.
