HOUSTON -- Stephen Curry scored 31 points and the Golden State Warriors built a huge lead and held on to beat the Houston Rockets 95-85 on Sunday night in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series. The seventh-seeded Warriors led by 23 in the third quarter, but second-seeded Houston cut it to 69-60 entering the fourth.
A basket by Amen Thompson with about 5 1/2 minutes remaining got the Rockets within four. Curry hit his fifth 3-pointer of the night a few seconds later to make it 82-75. The Rockets cut it to four again with about 2 1/2 minutes left on a 3 by Fred VanVleet. This time, Moses Moody hit a 3-pointer to start a 7-0 run that made it 91-80 and sent fans streaming for the exits.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Wednesday night in Houston. It was the 100th career playoff coaching victory for Golden State's Steve Kerr, who moved into a tie with Larry Brown for sixth-most playoff wins. Curry was 12 of 19 from the field, hitting 5 of 9 3-pointers. Jimmy Butler added 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals in his playoff debut for the Warriors after joining them in a trade from Miami in February.
The Rockets, who returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, got 26 points from Alperen Sengun in his first career postseason game. However, VanVleet and Jalen Green struggled, making just 7 of 34 shots. VanVleet was 2 of 13 from 3-point range on a night Houston made just 6 of 29 3-pointers and was 11 of 20 on free throws.
The Warriors secured their playoff spot with a 121-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night in the Play-In Tournament. This victory marks yet another playoff win over the Rockets, who the Warriors eliminated four times from 2015 to 2019.
As the game unfolded, the Warriors initially struggled, trailing 21-18 after the first quarter, where both teams shot poorly from beyond the arc. However, they rallied in the second quarter, launching a 14-5 run and outscoring Houston 29-13 to take a commanding lead into halftime.
Curry and Butler ignited the Warriors in the third quarter, with Butler hitting a pivotal 3-pointer that expanded the lead to 20 points. Despite Houston's efforts to claw back, including a late 17-3 run that cut the deficit to single digits, the Warriors maintained control and closed out the game effectively.
In a post-game interview, Curry reflected on the team's performance, saying, "We came out strong and set the tone early. We knew Houston would fight back, but we stayed composed and executed our game plan."
Meanwhile, Rockets coach Ime Udoka acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, "We need to find ways to score more efficiently and capitalize on our opportunities. We can't let them dictate the pace like they did tonight."
With the series now underway, both teams will look to adjust their strategies heading into Game 2. The Warriors will aim to build on their momentum, while the Rockets will seek to bounce back and level the series on their home court.
As the playoffs continue, the performances of superstars like Curry and Butler will be closely scrutinized, especially with the Warriors' championship pedigree on the line. Curry, at 37 years old, continues to defy expectations, reminding fans and analysts alike of his ability to lead a team deep into the postseason.
In addition to the Warriors' success, the playoff landscape is heating up as other first-round matchups commence. The league is buzzing with excitement as teams vie for a chance at the coveted NBA championship.
As the Warriors prepare for Game 2, they will look to solidify their dominance over the Rockets, while Houston aims to regroup and come out fighting. The stage is set for an intense playoff battle, and fans can expect nothing less than thrilling basketball as the series unfolds.
