The Houston Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors 109-94 on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, evening, tying their Western Conference first-round playoff series at one game apiece. The home team controlled the game for much of the night inside Toyota Center, building a lead that Golden State could not overcome.
A major storyline for the Warriors was the health of forward Jimmy Butler. The recent acquisition, who has bolstered Golden State since arriving in February, suffered a pelvis contusion late in the first quarter. He took a hard fall after a collision and left the game, not returning to the floor. The team announced Butler would undergo an MRI on Thursday as his status for future games remains uncertain. His presence is significant for the Warriors as they navigated a challenging regular season stretch and entered the playoffs with momentum.
With Butler out and guard Brandin Podziemski dealing with an illness that limited his availability, the Warriors relied heavily on their bench players. Guard Pat Spencer, playing extended minutes, contributed to the Warriors' effort by scoring and assisting teammates during his time on the court.
For the Rockets, guard Jalen Green delivered a standout performance, scoring 38 points to lead his team. After a quiet Game 1, Green found his offensive rhythm, connecting on eight three-pointers. Center Alperen ĹžengĂĽn also played well for Houston, contributing 17 points and 16 rebounds in the victory.
The Houston Rockets maintained a double-digit advantage through the second half. While the Warriors made runs, the Rockets responded, hitting key shots to preserve their lead. The game also saw moments of heightened intensity between the teams, particularly involving Draymond Green and some Rockets players.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 20 points. He reached 4,000 career points in the NBA playoffs during the contest, becoming the 11th player to reach this milestone. Despite his scoring, Golden State struggled with turnovers and rebounding throughout the game.
The series now shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 on Saturday. Both teams will look to gain an advantage in the best-of-seven format. The Warriors face questions regarding their lineup depth depending on the health of injured players.
Coach Steve Kerr addressed the potential absence of Butler moving forward. “Hopefully, Jimmy will be able to play,” Kerr said. “But if not, we have to go through our options and put together a plan.”
