Curry, Butler lead Warriors to win against Rockets in Game 1 of playoffs

Warriors Stun Rockets in Game 1, Seize Home-Court Advantage

The Golden State Warriors opened their 2025 NBA Playoffs campaign with a statement win, toppling the Houston Rockets 95-85 on the road to grab a 1-0 lead in their Western Conference first-round series.

Curry and Butler Power Warriors Past Rockets

Stephen Curry led the charge for Golden State, bouncing back from a poor shooting night against Houston earlier in April to score a game-high 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including five three-pointers. Curry also contributed six rebounds, setting the tone for the Warriors’ offense and delivering clutch baskets to halt Houston’s late-game rally.

Jimmy Butler III, acquired midseason from the Miami Heat, proved his value with 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Butler’s all-around play and composure in crunch time helped the Warriors withstand the Rockets’ comeback attempts and maintain their lead down the stretch.

Key Moments and Game Flow

• The Rockets, energized early by Alperen Sengun’s eight first-quarter points, built a 19-12 advantage before Curry orchestrated a Warriors run to close the gap.

• Butler gave Golden State its first lead with a free throw early in the second quarter, and the Warriors seized momentum with an 11-0 run capped by a Curry reverse layup.

• A 9-0 Warriors burst, featuring two Curry threes, closed the first half with Golden State leading 47-34 as Houston’s offense sputtered.

Houston mounted a late push, trimming a 23-point deficit to just three points midway through the fourth quarter. However, Curry’s timely three-pointer and steady contributions from Butler and rookie Brandin Podziemski (14 points, eight rebounds, five assists) helped the Warriors pull away in the final minutes.

Rockets Struggle Under Playoff Pressure

Houston, the West’s No. 2 seed after a 52-30 regular season, struggled with efficiency, shooting just 39.1% from the field and committing 17 turnovers, which the Warriors converted into 25 points. Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 26 points and nine rebounds, but the supporting cast faltered: Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet combined for just 17 points on 7-of-34 shooting.

What’s Next

Game 2 is set for Wednesday in Houston, where the Rockets will look to regroup and avoid falling into a 0-2 hole before the series shifts to Golden State.

Around the NBA

Elsewhere in the playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80, setting a record for the largest Game 1 margin in NBA playoff history. In the East, the Boston Celtics, powered by Derrick White’s 30 points, defeated the Orlando Magic, while the Cleveland Cavaliers rolled past the Miami Heat.

Golden State’s veteran experience and the seamless integration of Jimmy Butler have given them an early edge in this series. The Rockets, meanwhile, face a crucial test of resilience as they seek their first playoff series win since 2020.