Rockets vs Warriors Game 1: The Curry-Buttler Show Shines, Where Did the Rockets Go Wrong?

In the highly anticipated Game 1 of the first-round series between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets, the Warriors emerged victorious with a 95-85 win on the road. While the Warriors may not have had home-court advantage and entered the playoffs as a play-in team, their performance proved that they are no strangers to postseason basketball. The team has been in championship form since the trade deadline, recording a 23-8 record since then—ranking third in the league during that stretch. Their offensive efficiency was ranked ninth, while their defense sat atop the league as the best in the league. So, it came as no surprise that the Warriors won this opening game, but the way they did it was both unexpected and intriguing.

The game started off with a bit of a surprise. The Warriors fell behind early and found themselves struggling through the first quarter. It wasn’t until the second quarter that they managed to turn the tide and gain the lead. But it was in the third quarter where the Warriors really flexed their muscles. A 23-point lead opened up at one point, and while the Rockets made a valiant effort to claw back into the game, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Warriors' poise and experience. With just under two minutes left in the game and the Rockets only trailing by four points, the Warriors turned it on, going on an 11-2 run led by a key three-pointer from Moses Moody. That sealed the deal for Golden State, sending them to a crucial Game 1 victory.

At the center of the Warriors’ success were two key veterans: Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. Curry, at the age of 37, put on an absolute clinic, playing 40 minutes and scoring 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting from the field, including 5-of-9 from three-point range. His shooting was nothing short of spectacular. In the second quarter, he launched an almost impossibly deep three-pointer over the outstretched arms of Jae’Sean Tate, and in the third, he hit a contested triple against Jaren Green's defense. When Curry is knocking down shots like that, there's no defense that can stop him. These were not easy shots, yet Curry made them look effortless.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler, at the age of 35, was also dominant. Playing 42 minutes, Butler contributed 25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals, while committing just one turnover. His performance was just as significant as Curry's, especially in the closing moments of the game. After Moody's clutch three, Butler hit a crucial tip-in, then followed it up with a one-on-one isolation bucket. He capped it off with a steal and a fast-break dunk that extended the Warriors’ lead. Over the course of the game, Butler was a physical and emotional leader, his intensity and ability to execute in clutch moments pivotal in securing the win for Golden State. In the final two minutes, he scored 6 of the Warriors' 11 points during their decisive run.

While the Warriors had their stars shining, the Houston Rockets weren’t without their moments. Despite falling short in the end, the Rockets showed that they weren’t intimidated by their more seasoned opponents. One of the main strategies the Rockets employed was focusing on their size advantage. They utilized their taller lineup to dominate the boards, winning the rebound battle 52-36, with an overwhelming 22-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Alperen Şengün were major contributors, with Şengün grabbing 5 offensive rebounds in under 20 minutes, nearly matching the Warriors' entire team total.

However, despite their physical dominance on the glass, the Rockets couldn’t capitalize where it counted the most—on the scoreboard. The key issue was their shooting struggles. Houston’s offense was unable to break down the Warriors' defense, and their shooting from the field was woeful. The Rockets shot just 34-of-87 from the field (39%) and a dismal 6-of-29 from three (20.7%). Even their free-throw shooting, typically a strength for this team, was subpar at 11-of-20. It didn’t matter that the Rockets had more possessions and a larger margin for error with those offensive rebounds. At the end of the day, points are what win games, and the Rockets simply couldn't convert their opportunities into points.

Two players who stood out for the Rockets, albeit for the wrong reasons, were Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet. Green, Houston's young star, was dreadful from the field, shooting just 3-of-15, including 0-of-4 from three. He finished with a paltry 7 points. VanVleet, who had been a solid addition to the Rockets this season, also had a tough outing, making only 4-of-19 shots, including a miserable 2-of-13 from deep. Combined, Green and VanVleet went a combined 7-of-34 from the floor, accounting for just 17 points. Their inability to score efficiently crippled the Rockets' chances, particularly in the fourth quarter when the Rockets needed someone to step up.

Moreover, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka’s lineup choices raised some questions. On one hand, Houston employed a big-man-heavy lineup with the likes of Şengün, Jaren Smith, Jabari Smith Jr., and Eason, hoping to capitalize on their size advantage. But this strategy led to a slow and turnover-prone offense. When they switched to a small-ball lineup to match the Warriors, they found some success, but it was too little, too late. Perhaps a more balanced lineup might have been a better approach, as the Rockets’ offense struggled to find rhythm in both of these configurations. It remains to be seen whether Udoka will adjust his strategy going forward, but one thing is clear: the Rockets have a lot to figure out if they want to challenge the Warriors in this series.

Despite the loss, the Rockets were far from outclassed. The final margin of 10 points doesn’t fully reflect the competitive nature of the game. The Rockets were able to string together several strong defensive sequences, including forcing the Warriors into multiple 24-second violations. With a little more composure, they could have made the game even closer. And with a star like Şengün, who had an excellent performance in his first career playoff game (26 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals), Houston’s future looks bright. But for now, they must find ways to improve their shooting and limit turnovers.

As for the Warriors, this victory only solidifies their reputation as a legitimate championship contender. The additions of Butler and the trade deadline moves have bolstered their already stacked roster. With Curry playing at an MVP-caliber level and Butler showing he can still perform at an elite level in the postseason, the Warriors are a dangerous team to face. If they continue playing like this, they have every reason to believe that they can make another deep playoff run.

In the end, Game 1 was a tale of experience versus youth, with the seasoned Warriors using their leadership and clutch shooting to secure the win. The Rockets, on the other hand, had their chances but couldn’t execute in key moments. The series is far from over, but Game 1 certainly sets the tone. The Rockets will need to regroup and find ways to sharpen their offense if they want to make this series competitive. As for the Warriors, as long as Curry and Butler are leading the way, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with.