Warriors Defeat Rockets 95-85 in Playoff Opener

HOUSTON, TX — The Golden State Warriors captured a 95-85 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on April 20, 2025. Stephen Curry led the charge for the Warriors, scoring a game-high 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting. Warriors coach Steve Kerr celebrated his 100th playoff coaching win with this crucial win.

Curry was instrumental in the win, hitting five three-pointers and grabbing six rebounds. His performance was a stark contrast to a previous matchup against the Rockets where he scored only three points. Jimmy Butler supported Curry’s efforts with 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.

The Rockets, after missing the playoffs for five years, fought back from a 23-point deficit in the second half. Houston’s Alperen Şengün led the team with 26 points and nine rebounds, showing promise in his playoff debut. Despite shooting just 39.1% from the field, the Rockets had their moments, especially during a fourth-quarter surge that cut the lead to just four points.

However, Houston struggled with turnovers, committing 17 that the Warriors converted into 25 points. Fred VanVleet, who scored 11 points, acknowledged the need for better execution. “We just didn’t execute,” he said. “Maybe the physicality was an issue, but I thought we matched that for the most part.”

The Rockets couldn’t capitalize on their strong performance on the offensive boards, where they held a 22-6 advantage. Coach Ime Udoka emphasized the need to generate better offensive looks ahead of Game 2: “We missed nine free throws in a 10-point loss,” he noted. “I liked our fight and intensity, but it’s about execution.”

The series continues with Game 2 scheduled for Wednesday night in Houston, where the Rockets will look to bounce back and even the series against the experienced Warriors.