The Rockets have begun preparing for their first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors after clinching the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with a 52-30 regular-season record. The Warriors, seeded No. 7 with a 48-34 record, won three out of five matchups against Houston during the 2024-25 season. The Rockets, known for their strong defense, are focused on maintaining their physical and aggressive style of play for the playoffs.
The series will open with the first two games at Houston's Toyota Center, followed by two games at Golden State under the NBA's 2-2-1-1-1 series format. Any additional games will alternate between the two teams' home courts. The Rockets-Warriors series winner will advance to face the winner between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round. Coach Ime Udoka and veteran guard Fred VanVleet expressed confidence in the team's approach and readiness for the playoffs, emphasizing the importance of playing to their strengths and staying focused amidst any challenges they may face.