In a clash characterized by intensity, the Houston Rockets faced the Golden State Warriors, but fell short with a 95-85 loss in Game 1 of their playoff series. Center Steven Adams showcased his rebounding prowess, contributing 12 boards, including five offensive rebounds, which helped Houston secure 22 second-chance points. Despite their dominance on the boards, the Rockets struggled to convert their opportunities, shooting just 39.1% from the field.

The Rockets' halfcourt offense, ranked 22nd in the regular season, continued to falter, managing only 65.5 points per 100 halfcourt plays in Game 1. This inefficiency contrasted sharply with their fast-breaking capabilities, where they averaged 17 points per game during the season but managed just four in this game. Even with an impressive performance from Alperen Şengün, who scored 26 points, the Rockets' backcourt struggled, combining for only 17 points on inefficient shooting.