Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green misfire as Warriors take Game 1 in Houston

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 throwsAmen 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 HighlightsPostgame Interviews and ReactionI wanted to win.

I was in attack mode.

It was a tough game, a physical game.

-Alperen SengunI 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, 2025Fred 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, 2025Jalen Green tonight:7 points3-15 FG0-4 3PIme Udoka wasnt too upset with his guards performance.

Said Green played in a crowd a little too much.

pic.twitter.com/mEAUs2lc0z Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) April 21, 2025Ime Udoka on Alperen Senguns 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, 2025Ime Udoka: Some guys did struggle offensively.

Not going to overreact to one game.

pic.twitter.com/lFwJ4zzKqz Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) April 21, 2025I 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, 2025Jimmy 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 1Jalen 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, 2025The 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, 2025Remaining Rockets-Warriors Series ScheduleGame 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 Houstons own broadcast team.More: Space City Home Network to offer local playoff broadcasts for Rockets-Warriors seriesThis article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green misfire as Warriors take Game 1 in Houston.

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