Ayrton Oneill
The 2025 NBA Playoffs first round began on April 19, with the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament taking place from April 15-18. The postseason schedule continued with play-in games on Wednesday, with the Heat eliminating the Bulls, and the Mavericks eliminating the Kings. The Golden State Warriors, with the West's No. 7 seed, faced the Rockets in the first round, and the Magic went up against the reigning champion Celtics in a best-of-seven series. The Bucks, seeded 5th, faced the 4th-seeded Pacers, winning Game 3 117-101 but losing the first two games. The Warriors took a 2-1 series lead over the Rockets with a gutsy performance, winning 104-93.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of 2025 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament | April 15-18 |
| Date of first round of 2025 NBA Playoffs | April 19 |
| Date of Game 1 of 2025 NBA Finals | June 5 |
| Teams in the first round of 2025 NBA Playoffs | Pacers, Bucks, Cavaliers, Heat, Celtics, Magic, Knicks, Pistons, Thunder, Grizzlies, Rockets, Warriors, Timberwolves, Lakers, Nuggets, and Clippers |
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What You'll Learn
Game 1: Warriors 95, Rockets 85
The Golden State Warriors took on the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series on Sunday, April 20, 2025. The Warriors won the game 95-85, with Steph Curry leading the team with 31 points. Curry hit five 3-pointers, including a deep three-ball from the logo with under five minutes to go, which deflated the Toyota Center. This was Curry's third consecutive 30-point game.
The Rockets started the game with physicality and aggression, pushing Curry and the Warriors around in the first few minutes. However, the Warriors adjusted and took control of the game. The Rockets were able to cut the lead from 23 down to 3 points in the fourth quarter, but Curry's clutch performance sealed the win for the Warriors.
Jabari Smith Jr. also had a notable performance for the Warriors, making a 9-foot two-point shot and a 22-foot three-point jumper, among other plays. On the Rockets side, Alperin Sengun had a quick start, but the rest of the team took some time to get into a groove.
The Warriors' victory in Game 1 gave them a 1-0 lead in the series, with the next game scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, in Houston.
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Game 2: Rockets 109, Warriors 94
The Golden State Warriors suffered a 109-94 loss to the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The Rockets, playing at the Toyota Center, bounced back from a Game 1 loss, thanks to a stellar performance by Jalen Green, who scored 38 points. Green had struggled in his playoff debut in Game 1, but he ensured that he showed up for the biggest game of the season. The Rockets got off to an early lead and maintained it throughout the game.
The Warriors hung around all game long but were never able to make a run that might have put pressure on the Rockets. Steph Curry had his hands full, and the Warriors were virtually hapless whenever Curry had to sit on the bench or was sidelined. The Rockets' offensive rejuvenation was countered by the Warriors' fruitless offensive possessions. The Warriors also had to deal with the absence of Jimmy Butler, who was ruled out for the rest of the game after a pelvic contusion.
The Rockets' victory tied the series at 1-1, with the next two games to be played in San Francisco.
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Game 3: Warriors 104, Rockets 93
The Golden State Warriors took a 2-1 series lead over the Rockets with a 104-93 win in Game 3 of the 2024-25 NBA postseason. The Warriors, led by Stephen Curry's 36 points, delivered one of their gutsiest performances of the season to secure the victory.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets in a high-scoring first quarter. The Warriors, however, began to pull away in the second quarter, outscoring the Rockets and taking a comfortable lead into halftime.
The Rockets came out strong in the third quarter, narrowing the gap and making it a close game. But the Warriors showed their resilience in the final period, clamping down on defence and executing down the stretch to secure the win.
Curry, as mentioned, led the way for the Warriors with his 36 points, but he also got help from his supporting cast. Forward Andrew Wiggins contributed 19 points and 7 rebounds, while guard Jordan Poole added 16 points off the bench, providing a spark of energy and scoring when needed.
For the Rockets, guard Jalen Green led the way with 25 points, showcasing his impressive scoring ability. Veteran forward Kevin Porter Jr. also had a strong showing, chipping in with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. However, it wasn't quite enough to overcome the Warriors' balanced attack.
With the win, the Warriors regained home-court advantage and positioned themselves well to advance to the next round of the playoffs. The series shifted to a best-of-three format, with the Rockets needing to win the remaining games to stay alive.
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Game 4: Rockets at Warriors
Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs first-round Western Conference series between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets is set to tip off on Monday, April 28, at 7:00 p.m. PT or 10:00 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area and TNT.
The Warriors hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series heading into Game 4, with the winner of the series facing the victor of the Minnesota Timberwolves-Los Angeles Lakers series. The Warriors and Rockets have met in the playoffs four times previously, in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019. Golden State won three of the five regular-season matchups against the Rockets this season, but Houston won the most recent contest on April 6 in San Francisco, holding Steph Curry to just three points.
The Warriors will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss in Game 2, where they were defeated 109-94 by the Rockets. In Game 3, the Warriors delivered a gutsy performance to secure a 104-93 victory and take the lead in the series. Curry had a brilliant performance, scoring 36 points, while Draymond Green anchored the Warriors' defence in Game 3, holding the Rockets to 22 points in the fourth quarter and containing Jalen Green to just nine points.
With Jimmy Butler III's injury, the Warriors' playoff dreams are in jeopardy. However, there is a possibility that Butler will recover in time for Game 4, which could boost the Warriors' offence. Curry has been a standout performer for the Warriors, logging his eighth career 30-point outing against the Rockets in the playoffs. The Rockets, on the other hand, will be aiming to even the series and force a decisive Game 7.
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Game 5: Warriors at Rockets
The 2025 NBA Playoffs first-round schedule is as follows:
Game 1, April 20: Warriors 95, Rockets 85
Game 2, April 23: Rockets 109, Warriors 94
Game 3, April 26: Warriors 104, Rockets 93
Game 4, April 28: Rockets at Warriors (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5, April 30: Warriors at Rockets (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 6, May 2: Rockets at Warriors (Time/TV TBD)
Game 7, May 4: Warriors at Rockets (Time/TV TBD)
The Warriors and Rockets will play each other in a best-of-seven series. The team with the better regular-season record in each series will have home-court advantage for that series. All series are played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team with the better record hosting Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 (if necessary).
The Warriors took a 2-1 series lead over the Rockets after Stephen Curry scored 36 points in a gutsy performance.
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Frequently asked questions
The 2025 NBA Playoffs started on April 19.
Game 1: Pacers 117, Bucks 98. Game 2: Pacers 123, Bucks 115. Game 3: Bucks 117, Pacers 101. Game 4: Pacers 129, Bucks 103. Game 5: Bucks at Pacers (April 29, 6 ET, NBA TV). Game 6: Pacers at Bucks (May 2, TBD). Game 7: Bucks at Pacers (May 4, TBD).
Game 1: Warriors 95, Rockets 85. Game 2: Rockets 109, Warriors 94. Game 3: Warriors 104, Rockets 93. Game 4: Rockets at Warriors (April 28, 10 ET, TNT). Game 5: Warriors at Rockets (April 30, 7:30 ET, TNT). Game 6: Rockets at Warriors (May 2, TBD). Game 7: Warriors at Rockets (May 4, TBD).
The 2025 NBA Finals are set to begin on June 5.
