Rockets Face Tough Challenges After Game One Loss to Warriors

HOUSTON, Texas — The Houston Rockets faced a tough setback in Game One of their playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, losing 95-85 at home. Despite rallying from a 23-point deficit, the Rockets struggled offensively, relying heavily on Alperen Sengun, who scored 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting.

Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet had a rough outing, combining for a dismal 7-of-34 shooting from the field. VanVleet’s particularly poor performance, shooting only 2-of-13, left the team searching for solutions in their half-court sets.

“Eighty-five points will never be enough to beat the Warriors,” a frustrated VanVleet said after the game. “We need to find our rhythm and generate more offense moving forward.”

The Rockets’ rebounding strategy initially paid off, as they out-rebounded Golden State 52-36. However, they struggled with turnovers, giving the ball away 16 times, which hampered their efforts. Coach Ime Udoka noted the need for the team to maintain their composure and win the turnover battle.

“We played well on the boards, but the turnovers killed us,” Udoka said. “We have to be smarter with the basketball.”

To adjust for Game Two, analysts suggest the Rockets could experiment with their lineups to create more offensive space. One idea is to run rookie Jabari Smith Jr. at the center position to stretch the Warriors’ defense.

“Using Jabari at the 5 could give us the height advantage while matching their shooting capabilities,” said one insider. “It’s a strategy worth exploring.”

The Rockets also need to contain the Warriors’ standout players, especially Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, who excelled in Game One by scoring efficiently. Their combined effort was a significant factor in the Rockets’ loss.

“If we let them both go off, it’s going to be hard to win,” said Sengun. “We need to tighten our defense and focus on one at a time.”

As they prepare for Game Two, the Rockets aim to build on their strengths while addressing their weaknesses, hoping for a turnaround in their postseason fortunes.