The Golden State Warriors are officially back in the NBA Playoffs, securing the No. 7 seed after a strong play-in victory and setting up a first-round showdown with a familiar postseason rival — the Houston Rockets, who hold the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. This matchup rekindles one of the more competitive playoff rivalries in recent years, with Golden State previously besting Houston in all four playoff series between 2015 and 2019. Now, in 2025, the two sides are meeting for a fifth time, and the tension is already palpable.

Warriors vs Rockets 2025 Playoff Series Schedule and Results

• Game 1 (April 20): Golden State at Houston – Warriors win 95-85

• Game 2 (April 23): Golden State at Houston – Warriors lose 94-109

• Game 3 (April 26): Houston at Golden State – Warriors win 104-93

• Game 4 (April 28): Houston at Golden State – Warriors win 109-106

• Game 5 (April 30): Golden State at Houston – Tip-off at 4:30 p.m. on TNT

• Game 6 (May 2, if necessary): Houston at Golden State – Time TBD

• Game 7 (May 4, if necessary): Golden State at Houston – Time TBD

Golden State currently leads the series 3-1, putting them just one win away from advancing to the second round, potentially to face the Los Angeles Lakers if results hold.

Despite entering the playoffs as the seventh seed, Golden State is not to be underestimated. Their experience in the postseason, combined with the presence of players like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and new arrival Jimmy Butler, gives them a battle-tested core that thrives in high-stakes games. During the regular season, the Warriors and Rockets faced off five times, with Golden State winning three of those matchups. However, the two losses were significant. In one game, Curry was held to just three points on 1-for-10 shooting, largely due to the defensive pressure from Houston’s physical perimeter defenders such as Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson. That game exposed a possible Achilles’ heel for Golden State: when Curry struggles to get free, the offense becomes stagnant.

This is where Jimmy Butler’s playoff pedigree becomes crucial. Nicknamed “Playoff Jimmy” for his postseason heroics with the Miami Heat, Butler brings more than just scoring to the table. He adds toughness, leadership, and the ability to absorb defensive attention, which can open the floor for Curry and other shooters. Warriors coach Steve Kerr has even likened the Butler-Green duo to a modern-day “Pippen and Jordan” defensive tandem, capable of switching, pressing, and closing out games with intensity. Draymond Green, meanwhile, has a tough assignment inside. At 6'6", he’s undersized compared to Houston’s dynamic center Alperen Sengun, who stands at 6'11". Sengun’s presence on the boards and ability to score in the paint will be a key battleground as the series progresses. Green’s ability to neutralize Sengun, at least partially, will go a long way in determining the Warriors’ fate in this series.

Interestingly, Golden State’s bench has outscored its starters in net points per game this season — the only playoff or play-in team with that statistic. Bench players will be key as the series wears on, particularly if the Warriors find themselves in back-to-back physical games or needing to preserve the health of aging stars. In the best-case scenario for Golden State, Playoff Jimmy channels his Miami days alongside a resurgent Curry and a focused Green. If the Warriors close out the Rockets, they’ll likely face the Lakers in the next round — a team they have plenty of history with. If successful, the Warriors could potentially meet Oklahoma City in the conference finals, where their experience would outweigh the Thunder’s youthful energy. According to NBA analyst Kevin Pelton, Curry might deliver a throwback performance reminiscent of Klay Thompson’s Game 6 heroics from 2016 — perhaps even scoring 40+ in a pivotal closeout game.

Fans eager to catch the action live can purchase 2025 NBA Playoff tickets through the Warriors’ official site, warriors.com/tickets/single, starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16. The team has issued a strong advisory against purchasing tickets from unverified third-party vendors, warning that over 2,000 fans have been denied entry in recent seasons due to counterfeit tickets.

With the series tipping heavily in their favor after a 3-1 lead, the Golden State Warriors are now within reach of another deep playoff run. The combination of Curry’s leadership, Butler’s playoff reputation, and Green’s relentless defense provides the Warriors with a formidable trio. If they continue to execute with discipline and adapt to Houston’s physical style, Golden State may once again become the team to beat in the West. All eyes are now on Game 5 — and possibly another memorable postseason chapter for a dynasty that refuses to fade.