Warriors Prepare for Playoff Showdown Against Resilient Rockets

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Golden State Warriors are back in the playoffs for the first time in two years, facing off against the Houston Rockets in a highly anticipated series that kicks off next week. The journey to this point has seen a dramatic turnaround for the Warriors, which can be split into two eras: Before Butler (BB) and the Butler Era (BE).

Before acquiring Jimmy Butler, the Warriors struggled to find their footing. From their season opener on October 23, 2024, to February 7, 2025, the team slipped into a rut, sporting a mediocre 25-26 record by early February. Key injuries, including to offseason acquisition De’Anthony Melton, compounded their woes, and the team found themselves desperately needing a boost.

The trade that brought Butler to the Warriors, sending Dennis Schröder and other assets to the Miami Heat, proved to be a pivotal moment. Butler made his debut against the Chicago Bulls on February 8, igniting a resurgence for the team and helping propel them to a record of 23-8 in their last 31 games, culminating in a seventh seed in the playoffs.

Winning a play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies solidified their postseason spot, setting up a clash with the Rockets, who have shown both depth and resilience throughout the season.

Throughout the regular season, the Warriors and Rockets faced off five times, with the Warriors trying to regain their dominance over a team that had previously struggled against them historically. The Rockets entered the postseason with improved defensive metrics, finishing the season ranked fourth in the NBA for defense.

The ongoing rivalry poses significant challenges for the Warriors. Head coach Ime Udoka has built a defense that employs physicality and athleticism, making it difficult for opponents. The Rockets managed to limit key players like Steph Curry during their most recent matchup, restricting him to just three points on 1-of-10 shooting.

The Rockets’ defensive success relies heavily on their ability to contest shots while creating turnovers and seizing second-chance opportunities. They led the league in offensive rebounding, pulling down 35.3% of misses throughout the regular season. This prowess often gives them extra possessions, a key advantage against the Warriors, who will have to work diligently to avoid giving up those opportunities.

For the Warriors, the success of their playoff run will heavily depend on the performances of Curry and Butler. Both have to elevate their game, especially as the Rockets are expected to devote significant defensive resources to stifling Curry. Butler will need to avoid mimicking his last performance against the Rockets, during which he scored only 13 points.

“I need to be more aggressive,” Butler said after the loss. “I can’t let that happen again as we go into the playoffs.”

As the series unfolds, the Warriors will lean on a solid five-man lineup featuring Curry, Butler, Draymond Green, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski. Their chemistry will be crucial, particularly in high-pressure moments.

There are also questions surrounding how emerging players like Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield will fit into the playoff rotation. Head coach Steve Kerr has emphasized the importance of maintaining a lineup that maximizes their chances for victory, indicating that decisions will come down to performance metrics and matchups.

As anticipation builds for this playoff series, both teams seem keenly aware of the stakes. Experience and playoff pedigree will be as vital as skill, with the possibility of a thrilling seven-game series looming large.

“It’s going to be a challenge, but we have a lot of confidence going into this,” Curry said. “We’ve been through the grind, and we know what it takes.”