The Golden State Warriors are set to take on the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. While they are the favorites to win the best-of-seven series because of their experience, the postseason posts a ton of surprises. An inexperienced playoff team like the Rockets could be an unexpected dominant group in the Western Conference.
On Thursday, veteran analyst Nick Wright talked about how losing to the Rockets in the first round would be a disaster for the Warriors. Wright explained his thought process in the recent episode of FS1’s “First Things First.”
“I don’t think disaster is too strong,” Wright said. “They make a win-right now move in trading for Jimmy [Butler], gave him an extra year on the contract that they didn’t really want to for this playoff run… Two weeks ago, there were a lot of people who thought, ‘Boston, OKC, 1-2, 2-1. But number three is Golden State. Ahead of the Lakers, ahead of Cleveland.
“If that ends with a round one loss… that’s a disaster. And in three years without making it past round one, back-to-back years without winning a round, and when every year could be your last great Steph Curry year, he’s 37… it would be a disaster.
“It would be a disaster.”@getnickwright breaks down what a 1st Round exit would mean for the Warriors: pic.twitter.com/1Xhpl3H6iT
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) April 17, 2025
However, his co-host, Chris Broussard, countered Wright’s take. According to Broussard, he thinks it will only be a disaster if they don’t win the championship. Still, the 40-year-old sportscaster reiterated how it could end up as a disaster if they lose the first round, since many think they are title contenders.
“It’s not a disaster to not win a championship, it’s a disaster to lose in this round… They’re big favorites.”
Rockets guard had a message to the Golden State Warriors ahead of their series
This isn’t the first time the two teams have matched up against each other. In the past, the Houston Rockets have gone toe-to-toe with the Golden State Warriors in a playoff setting. The Rockets have come close multiple times but have often come up short.
Before their battle, veteran guard Fred VanVleet was asked if he understood the fans’ experience with their opponent. Given the damage the Warriors had done to the Rockets before in the postseason.
“No. This ain’t that team,” VanVleet said.
Fred VanVleet, asked if he understands the Rockets’ fan trauma over playing the Warriors:
“No. This ain’t that team.”
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) April 16, 2025
The Golden State Warriors team that Houston will face in the first round isn’t the same as the one they once had. The Warriors have an aging Stephen Curry and Draymond Green at the core. Klay Thompson isn’t on the team anymore as he’s moved on with the Dallas Mavericks. However, Curry and Green have found a new member of their star trio with Jimmy Butler.
Butler is a well-experienced playoff performer who could be the x-factor for Golden State.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
