The New Look Warriors Take Down The Rockets Behind The Brilliance Of Both Steph Curry And Playoff Jimmy

Logan Riely. Getty Images.

If you've been paying attention to the blog, then tonight's result should not surprise you. I've been telling you for months the Demon Warriors were back and to prepare accordingly. All the signs were there, and now that the NBA calendar has flipped to the postseason, here you go. They're back, and they now have homecourt advantage in the first round.

All eyes were on this series given what took place to end the regular season. Ime tried to go after Steph, Amen Thompson held Steph to one of the lowest outings of the season, and this series was billed as a tough, physical matchup where experience would battle youth. In the postseason, it's not really a surprise which one tends to be ready for the moment, and tonight was a great example of what that experience can do.

It also helps when Steph Curry does Steph Curry shit and gives Ime Udoka war flashbacks to 2022. All this talk about how the Rockets had a solution to the Stephen Curry Problem, where was it? Because all I know is that Steph not only got whatever he wanted, he even unloaded some of his vintage Steph Curry Black Magic

Just dagger after dagger after dagger. Every make more painful than the last. When Steph is even burying contested 3s where you play perfect defense and none of it matters, those are the ones that sting. It's also why you cannot be in a close game with GS down the stretch. You need the cushion, because when push comes to shove, this version of Steph Curry is going to make the play. It's what made the Warriors of old so tough. If you find yourself in a close game down the stretch, they are going to out-execute you and it's probably going to come via some Steph Curry bullshit.

What makes this version of the Warriors tough is that there's also the Playoff Jimmy aspect of the equation

Aside from the 3s, the true sign the Warriors are back and are to be taken seriously is what they're doing on the defensive end. Even with their offensive struggles, holding any opponent in 2025 to only 85 points is impressive. The way they force turnovers with their active hands and great rotations, it's the one thing you can't do against GS. If you turn the ball over, you're dead. The Rockets had 16 TOs for 25 points. Empty possessions are how you get in trouble, and once the Warriors are out on the break, good fucking luck.

For the Rockets, this was pretty much the fear. Regular season wins are nice, but the playoffs are a different beast. All the talk heading into the series was that the Warriors were going to have their way, so Game 1 was a huge opportunity for them to set the tone and show the world that they were a worthy 2 seed. 

Instead, everyone laid an egg. 

Jalen Green was awful, FVV couldn't make a shot, as a team, they shot 39/20%. Dominating the offensive glass could only do so much, it got the Rockets back into the game late, but then it became a battle of execution, and their inexperience showed. Turnovers, missed open looks, it was a tough close for HOU. You add the poor shooting to the turnover/points off turnovers issue, and that's how you fumble away Game 1. Now, all the pressure is on the Rockets for Game 2, seeing as how they've now allowed the Warriors to smell blood. Unless they stop that bleeding and force the split, this series that many of us were hoping would go the distance might be over before you know it.

As we've said with all of the games so far, it's important to remember that this is only Game 1. Things can change quickly in a playoff series, and it's now about adjustments and who can turn the page and be ready for another 48 minute battle. Perhaps the nerves won't be as bad and the Rockets will shoot closer to their season average in Game 2. That's certainly possible. It's also possible you get another Steph Curry masterclass and none of that matters.

The Demon Warriors are awake, and they're now armed with homecourt. I don't know much, but I have seen this movie before.