Stephen Curry leads Warriors to Game 1 victory over Rockets

In a thrilling matchup in the United States, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on April 20, 2025. The game took place in Houston, with both teams showcasing their talents. The Warriors jumped to an impressive start, establishing a commanding lead, peaking at 23 points in the third quarter. Stephen Curry delivered a standout performance, scoring 31 points, which significantly contributed to his team's victory. Other notable players included Jimmy Butler, who added 25 points and made a strong playoff debut after joining the team from Miami earlier in the year. Despite the Warriors' impressive shooting from the field, the Rockets struggled to find their rhythm. Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green faced significant challenges, combining for only 7 successful shots from a total of 34 attempts. VanVleet's performance was particularly disappointing as he managed only 2 baskets out of 13 attempts from beyond the arc. Houston's inability to score consistently, combined with poor shooting percentages from 3-point range and irregular free-throw success, meant that they had to work much harder than expected to remain competitive. The Rockets did manage to cut the Warriors' lead to just four points in the late stages of the game, highlighting their resilience despite their shooting struggles. Alperen Sengun stood out for the Rockets, leading the team with 26 points in his first playoff appearance, and his performance provided a glimmer of hope amid the overshadowing difficulties faced by the rest of the team. Coach Ime Udoka remarked that while the defense was effective, the offensive execution was unsatisfactory and would require improvement in the upcoming games. Moving forward, as the series progresses, both teams will need to address their areas for improvement. The Rockets are encouraged by their ability to fight back late despite trailing deeply at one point. Meanwhile, the Warriors celebrated their victory not only for the win itself but also for the milestone of Steve Kerr achieving his 100th playoff coaching victory, tying for sixth-most in league history alongside coaching legend Larry Brown. Game 2 of the series is set for Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Houston, where both teams will look to adjust and strategize for a better performance in this best-of-seven series.