Curry Inspires Warriors to Play-Off Win Over Rockets in Houston

Warriors Take Early Play-Off Lead as Curry Dazzles in Win Over Rockets

When the lights shine brightest and the stakes are at their highest, there’s one player you can always count on to deliver something special. On Tuesday night in Houston, Stephen Curry once again lived up to the moment, pouring in 31 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a gritty play-off win over the Rockets, 95-85, in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series.

It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t a shootout. But it was playoff basketball in its rawest form—tough, physical, and full of momentum shifts. In the end, it was the seasoned poise of the Warriors, and the relentless brilliance of Curry, that proved too much for a young, energetic Houston team playing their first postseason game in four years.

“Steph was incredible. He was just incredible,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said after the game. “They threw everything at him—Thompson, [Dillon] Brooks, help defense—but he kept finding ways to score and to control the tempo. He and Jimmy [Butler] really carried us.”

Warriors Win the Gritty Way

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

Despite finishing seventh in the regular season, the Warriors came into this series brimming with confidence. And back-to-back wins in Houston—including the regular-season finale—have only reinforced that belief.

Golden State didn’t shoot the lights out. They hit just 9 of their 30 attempts from three-point range. But they made up for it with intensity on the defensive end, hustle on the boards, and crucially, execution in the final stretch.

Alongside Curry’s 31 points, the ever-dependable Jimmy Butler contributed 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. The Warriors’ star pairing combined for 56 of the team’s 95 points—just under 60% of the offense—and took turns torching Houston’s young defenders in isolation plays down the stretch.

“They both have that dog in them,” Draymond Green said postgame. “You get into the playoffs and it’s about toughness. It’s about who wants it more. And our guys—our leaders—they showed what it takes.”

Houston’s Inexperience Shows in Play-Off Return

Stephen Curry scores 31 points in the Warriors’ 95-85 victory over the Rockets 95-85 in Game 1

For the Rockets, this was a tough lesson in postseason basketball. After an encouraging regular season that saw them earn the No. 2 seed in the West, they stumbled into the playoffs with three straight losses. That slump, unfortunately, carried over into Game 1.

Ime Udoka’s men looked energetic, sure, but at times reckless. They turned the ball over 17 times, struggled to find rhythm against Golden State’s veteran defense, and too often opted for rushed looks in traffic rather than working for cleaner opportunities.

“I don’t think it was the moment,” Udoka said, dismissing the idea that nerves were the issue. “It was more about physicality and decision-making. Play-off basketball is different. You have to be smarter, tougher. We weren’t good enough in those areas tonight.”

Houston’s backcourt duo of Jalen Green and Amen Thompson showed flashes of brilliance but were frequently stifled when trying to navigate the paint against the Warriors’ collapsing defense. Alperen Şengün had a relatively quiet night by his standards, finishing with 12 points and seven boards.

Still, for a franchise returning to the playoffs for the first time since the 2019–20 season, this experience—while frustrating—could serve as a stepping stone.

The Game-Changers: Curry and Butler Deliver Again

There’s a reason the Warriors remain so dangerous in the postseason, no matter their seed. And that reason is spelled S-T-E-P-H.

Curry once again did what he’s done for over a decade now: show up when it matters. His shot-making was sublime, but his impact went beyond the numbers. Every time Houston closed the gap, Curry answered with a floater, a step-back three, or a perfectly timed assist. His ability to bend defenses, even at 36, remains unmatched.

Butler, too, was the perfect complement. While Curry dazzled from deep, Butler bullied his way to the line, hit key midrange jumpers, and acted as the team’s emotional heartbeat.

This pairing—relatively new in the grand scheme of Golden State lore—seems to be blossoming at just the right time.

Cavaliers Make a Statement in the East

Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers laid down a marker of their own with a commanding 121-100 win over the Miami Heat. Donovan Mitchell led the charge with 30 points, while Ty Jerome, in his play-off debut, exploded for 28 points—including 16 in the fourth quarter.

Jerome, long viewed as a role player with untapped potential, was nothing short of spectacular in the closing stages. His fearless shot selection and on-ball defense gave Cleveland the kind of bench spark that often swings series.

Darius Garland chipped in with 27 points of his own, giving the Cavs a backcourt performance reminiscent of their LeBron-era dominance.

The Heat, who were without Jimmy Butler due to his involvement with the Warriors, looked flat and disjointed—something they’ll need to address quickly before Game 2.

What’s Next for the Warriors and Rockets?

Game 2 between the Warriors and Rockets is set for Thursday night in Houston once again. For the Rockets, adjustments are needed—fast. They’ll need to find a way to slow down Curry, match Golden State’s physicality, and protect the ball better if they’re to avoid going 0-2 before the series heads to San Francisco.

As for the Warriors, they’ll feel like they’ve already stolen home-court advantage. But don’t expect them to get comfortable. Not with Steve Kerr running the ship. Not with Curry looking this locked in. And not with Butler in postseason mode.

Because this is the play-offs, where legends are made, rookies grow up fast, and even a 10-point win on the road can shift the momentum of an entire series.

And with Curry leading the Warriors, they’ve once again shown they’re not just here to compete. They’re here to win.