One down. Three to go.#DubNation pic.twitter.com/Z7gie9snMG
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 21, 2025
The Golden State Warriors drew first blood in their Western Conference Playoffs series against the Houston Rockets, securing a hard-fought 95-85 victory in Game 1 at the Toyota Center on Sunday night. Led by stellar performances from Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III, the seventh-seeded Warriors upset the second-seeded Rockets, seizing crucial home-court advantage in the process.
STEPH WAS SIZZLING IN GAME 1!!
π³ 31 PTS
π³ 6 REB
π³ 5 3PMWarriors take a 1-0 series lead behind some unreal moments from Curry π₯ pic.twitter.com/rHk66dqNti
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2025
Curry, who uncharacteristically struggled in a recent regular-season loss to Houston, was back to his dazzling best. He poured in a game-high 31 points on an efficient 12-of-19 shooting, including five three-pointers, while also grabbing six rebounds. Butler, in his playoff debut for the Warriors after a mid-season trade, provided invaluable support with 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Brandin Podziemski made big plays down the line and was the 3rd leading scorer for the Warriors with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.
PLAYOFF JIMMY INTRODUCES HIMSELF TO GOLDEN STATE!
π€ 25 PTS
π€ 7 REB
π€ 6 AST
π€ 5 STLLeft his mark in his Warriors playoff debut as GSW takes Game 1. pic.twitter.com/8c6l558O3N
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2025
The Warriors built a commanding 23-point lead in the third quarter, and appears to be running away with the game. However, the young and resilient Rockets fought their way back, lead by Alperen Sengun, who led Houston with 26 points and nine rebounds. A floater by Amen Thompson cut the Warriors’ lead to a mere three points (76-73) with just 6:33 remaining in the game.
But just when the Toyota Center crowd sensed a potential comeback, Curry responded with a timely three-pointer, to extending the Warriors’ lead back to 82-75. Clutch plays from Curry, Butler and Podziemski in the closing minutes kept the Rockets at bay.
Stephen – 31 PTS, 6 REB
Jimmy – 25 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST, 5 STLπ½οΈπ½οΈπ½οΈ pic.twitter.com/WJOK0CTJUf
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 21, 2025
This victory marks the 100th career playoff win for Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who now ties Larry Brown for sixth-most playoff wins in league history.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will be this Wednesday night in Houston. The Houston Rockets will try to even the series before going to Golden State, while the Warriors will aim to take a commanding 2-0 lead before going back home.