HOUSTON — In their first playoff game since 2020, the Rockets shot just 39.1% overall, 20.7% on 3-pointers, and 55.0% on free throws in a deflating 95-85 home loss to the Warriors (box score). Golden State now leads the best-of-seven series, 1-0, with Game 2 set for Wednesday night.
The main culprits for the poor shooting were Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet. Houston’s starting guards combined to make just 7-of-26 shots (26.9%), including 2-of-17 from 3-point range (11.8%).
The Rockets trailed by as many as 23 points early in the second half and closed the margin to as little as four points in the fourth quarter, but Houston never could get over the final hump. The Rockets stayed competitive by out-rebounding Golden State, 52-36, but the shooting discrepancy proved too much to overcome. The Warriors shot significantly better at 47.6% overall, 37.5% on 3-pointers, and 78.6% on free throws.
Key statistical lines included:
- Stephen Curry: 31 points, 6 rebounds; 12-of-19 shooting (63.2%), 5-of-9 on 3-pointers (55.6%)
- Jimmy Butler: 25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals; 10-of-19 shooting (52.6%), 4-of-6 on free throws (66.7%)
- Alperen Sengun: 26 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals; 11-of-18 shooting (61.1%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 11 points, 6 rebounds; 3-of-3 shooting, 1-of-1 on 3-pointers, 4-of-4 on free throws
- Amen Thompson: 8 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists; 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%)
Read on for highlights, interviews, and related postgame reaction following Sunday’s Game 1. Game 2 will be Wednesday night, also at Houston’s Toyota Center.
Game 1 Highlights
Postgame Interviews and Reaction
“I wanted to win. I was in attack mode. It was a tough game, a physical game.”
-Alperen Sengun“I was trying to bring in some energy and build off what the starters came in with. We gotta clean up some things on the offensive end.”
-Jabari Smith Jr pic.twitter.com/Qs34EHcVA5— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) April 21, 2025
Fred VanVleet was impressed by the home-court advantage tonight:
“That was incredible.. been looking for them since I got here, but they showed up tonight.” pic.twitter.com/s70fWTOhLc
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) April 21, 2025
Jalen Green tonight:
7 points
3-15 FG
0-4 3PIme Udoka wasn’t too upset with his guard’s performance. Said Green “played in a crowd a little too much.” pic.twitter.com/mEAUs2lc0z
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) April 21, 2025
Ime Udoka on Alperen Sengun’s playoff debut:
“He had a great night. We need others to join the party and I think guys will.” pic.twitter.com/SlEkvxZ8m6
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) April 21, 2025
Ime Udoka:
“Some guys did struggle offensively. Not going to overreact to one game.” pic.twitter.com/lFwJ4zzKqz
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) April 21, 2025
I asked Jabari and Alperen despite the loss was it still encouraging that they did come back after being down by 20 plus points.
“It was definitely encouraging knowing we were still in the game that we were still in the game despite being down that much we stayed together showed… pic.twitter.com/q1QcfSSe53
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) April 21, 2025
“Jimmy is one of the best players in the league.”
Steve Kerr had HIGH praise for Jimmy Butler III after his all-around performance in Golden State’s Game 1 win 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iaOFPZorj8
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2025
Jimmy Butler: “I wouldn’t say that we’re smaller, but we’re just not as tall, but we have hella fight.”
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) April 21, 2025
#Rockets fall to the Warriors 95-85 in Game 1
Jalen Green met with the media after the game@HoustonRockets back in action for Game 2 on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/L76qoESjqd— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) April 21, 2025
“He was incredible.”
Steve Kerr kept it simple when discussing Steph’s elite Game 1 showing 👨🍳 https://t.co/0PTkQAwmYspic.twitter.com/L2rqbjfWpX
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2025
The Warriors were HYPED walking off the floor after their Game 1 victory in Houston!
Game 2 is on Wednesday at 6:30pm/et on TNT ‼️ pic.twitter.com/f5U29yBvYE
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2025
Remaining Rockets-Warriors Series Schedule
- Game 2: at Houston (Wednesday, April 23, 8:30 on TNT)
- Game 3: at Golden State (Saturday, April 26, 7:30 on ABC)
- Game 4: at Golden State (Monday, April 28, 9:00 on TNT)
- Game 5, if necessary: at Houston (Wednesday, April 30, tipoff TBD)
- Game 6, if necessary: at Golden State (Friday, May 2, TBD)
- Game 7, if necessary: at Houston (Sunday, May 4, TBD)
All games not televised on ABC will also be televised via a regional Space City Home Network broadcast featuring Houston’s own broadcast team.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green misfire as Warriors take Game 1 in Houston