In a thrilling finish, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors secured the Western Conference's No. 7 seed with a 121-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament on April 15, 2025. This hard-fought win not only marked the Warriors' first play-in game victory in the event's short history but also set the stage for a highly anticipated playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
The matchup between the Warriors and Rockets is steeped in history, with both teams having faced off in the playoffs multiple times over the past decade. The Warriors have historically dominated the Rockets, winning all four previous playoff series between the two teams. However, this year presents a new opportunity for Houston, who enters the postseason as the No. 2 seed after a strong regular season.
As the two teams prepare for their first playoff game of the series, scheduled for Easter Sunday, April 20, at 8:30 p.m. CT at Toyota Center, fans are buzzing with excitement. The Rockets, despite being slight underdogs in this series, are looking to break the streak of defeats against the Warriors and make their mark in the playoffs.
The Warriors' recent victory against Memphis was fueled by standout performances from Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry, who scored 38 and 37 points respectively. This duo, combined with the experience of Draymond Green and the shooting prowess of Buddy Hield, makes Golden State a formidable opponent. Curry, who led the NBA in three-pointers this season, is known for turning up his game in the playoffs, and he will be a key player to watch in this series.
During the regular season, the Warriors and Rockets faced off five times, with Golden State holding a 3-2 edge. The most recent matchup on April 6 saw the Rockets triumph 106-96, with Curry struggling to find his rhythm, finishing with only three points on 1-of-10 shooting. This performance was largely attributed to the defensive efforts of Rockets guard Amen Thompson, who is expected to play a crucial role in guarding Curry throughout the series.
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, who is seeking redemption after falling short in the 2022 NBA Finals against the Warriors while coaching the Boston Celtics, is eager to guide his team to victory. Udoka will look to develop young talents like Jalen Green, who has shown flashes of brilliance but needs to find consistency to help the Rockets advance.
"This will be the series that [Udoka] changes Jalen Green into what he did with Jaylen Brown [in Boston]," said former Rockets player Kenny Smith. "Getting [Green] to that next level will be crucial for the Rockets' success against the Warriors."
As the series unfolds, tensions are expected to run high, especially given the recent history of physical play between the two teams. In their last encounter, Draymond Green was involved in a controversial moment where he elbowed Rockets center Alperen Şengün in the face, leading to heightened emotions on both sides. With players like Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason also expressing their disdain for the Warriors, fans can anticipate an intense and competitive series.
One of the key matchups to watch will be the battle between Curry and Thompson. Thompson has proven to be a defensive force, and if he can replicate his success against Curry in their previous matchup, it could tip the scales in favor of the Rockets. However, Curry’s playoff experience and ability to perform under pressure make him a dangerous adversary.
Additionally, the Rockets' unique double-big lineup featuring Şengün and Steven Adams has shown promise, boasting the best net rating in the NBA during the regular season. This combination could pose problems for the Warriors, who have struggled against larger lineups in the past.
As the countdown to Game 1 begins, both teams are preparing for what promises to be an electrifying series. With the stakes higher than ever, the Rockets are determined to exercise their playoff demons against the Warriors. If they can secure a victory in this series, it would mark a significant milestone for the franchise and its young core.
With the series set to unfold, fans are left wondering: will the Warriors continue their dominance over the Rockets, or will Houston finally break through and claim their first playoff series win against Golden State? The answer will begin to unfold on Sunday night, as the two teams clash in what is sure to be a memorable playoff battle.
The complete schedule for the series is as follows:
- Game 1: Golden State at Houston - Date: Sunday, April 20 at 8:30 p.m. CT on TNT
- Game 2: Golden State at Houston - Date: Wednesday, April 23 at 8:30 p.m. CT on TNT
- Game 3: Houston at Golden State - Date: Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. CT on ABC
- Game 4: Houston at Golden State - Date: Monday, April 28 at 9:00 p.m. CT on TNT
- Game 5: Golden State at Houston (if necessary) - Date: Wednesday, April 30, time and network TBA
- Game 6: Houston at Golden State (if necessary) - Date: Friday, May 2, time and network TBA
- Game 7: Golden State at Houston (if necessary) - Date: Sunday, May 4, time and network TBA
With history on the line and a fierce rivalry reignited, fans are in for a treat as the playoffs kick off this weekend.
