Rockets’ shooting woes in Game 1 playoff loss to Warriors

HOUSTON – As Steph Curry dazzled spectators with his sensational shots for the Golden State Warriors on Sunday evening, the Houston Rockets faced a difficult night, with Fred VanVleet and his team struggling to find any rhythm in their shots, even with open opportunities.

VanVleet, along with Jalen Green, combined for just 7 of 34 successful attempts during Houston’s 95-85 defeat against Golden State in the first game of their first-round playoff series. VanVleet himself was notably off-target, making only 2 of 13 shots from beyond the arc, while the team as a whole managed just 6 out of 29 in three-point attempts, and fared little better at the free-throw line with 11 of 20 successes.

“It wasn’t our night offensively,” remarked coach Ime Udoka. “Defensively, we held our ground, but there’s no need to panic after this game. It was the playoff debut for some of our players, and we did have our moments.”

Returning to the playoff atmosphere for the first time since 2020, the second-seed Rockets had several rookies making their postseason start. Despite the overwhelming pressure, Alperen Sengun emerged as a standout performer, leading Houston with 26 points and nine rebounds.

Even with dismal shooting, the Rockets clawed back to within four points as the game dwindled down to the last 2 1/2 minutes, courtesy of a three-pointer by VanVleet. However, subsequent attempts to bridge the gap were thwarted by missed shots, allowing the Warriors to secure their victory.

“We need to focus on generating better opportunities,” stated VanVleet, reflecting on the evening’s performance. “Improving our spacing is essential, and we obviously have room to make more shots — I have to hold myself accountable for tonight’s outcome.”

The Rockets were buoyed by their dominance in offensive rebounds, holding a 22-6 margin, which allowed them to stay competitive down the stretch despite a significant 23-point deficit in the third quarter.

“We need to tidy up on the offensive side, but it’s heartening to see that we never lost our fighting spirit even after being down so much,” said Jabari Smith. “Our resilience showed the progress we’ve made as a team.”