Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors to a 95-85 victory over the Houston Rockets, scoring 31 points in Game 1 of their playoff series. Despite a 23-point lead at one stage, the Rockets closed the gap to just four points late in the game. However, a timely three-pointer from Curry, combined with a critical run from Moses Moody, secured the win for the Warriors. Curry highlighted the importance of composure in playoff situations, especially on the road.

In other playoff action, the Oklahoma City Thunder made a statement by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80, marking the largest Game 1 win in NBA playoff history. Aaron Wiggins led the Thunder with 21 points off the bench. The Boston Celtics, the reigning champions, also had a strong showing, beating the Orlando Magic 103-86, powered by Derrick White's 30 points. The Cleveland Cavaliers dispatched the Miami Heat 121-100, with Donovan Mitchell and Ty Jerome combining for 58 points.