HOUSTON -- In a thrilling showdown reminiscent of classic NBA battles, Jimmy Butler demonstrated his prowess on the court, leading the Golden State Warriors to a hard-fought 95-85 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series. With just over a minute remaining in the game, Butler confidently faced off against Rockets center Alperen Sengun. He drained a crucial 19-foot step-back jumper, punctuating his performance and signaling to his teammates, including the legendary Stephen Curry, that they had a reliable star in their midst.

This marked Butler's inaugural playoff game with the Warriors, and he made a significant impact, scoring 25 points, securing 7 rebounds, dishing out 6 assists, and grabbing 5 steals. His late-game contributions were pivotal, as he netted six of his points in the final minute and 43 seconds to seal the victory and put the Warriors ahead 1-0 in the best-of-seven series against the No. 2 seed Rockets.

Warriors forward Draymond Green praised Butler's influence on the team's performance, noting that each time the Rockets threatened to cut into the lead, the team successfully delivered the ball to Butler, who consistently calmed the offense. He always just settles the offense down, Green remarked, reflecting on the importance of Butlers presence on the court. Even that last one, he hit over Sengun. Thats what we want. Hes such a huge calm force for us.

Remarkably, Butler became the first player in history to record at least 25 points and 5 steals in a playoff debut with a franchise since the NBA began officially recording steals in the 1973-74 season. His performance also tied him with Allen Iverson for the third-most playoff games featuring 25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals, further solidifying his status as a playoff performer.

The game began with a fiery start from the Rockets, who initially held an eight-point lead, highlighted by a spectacular dunk from Sengun over Green. However, the Warriors rallied, building a commanding 66-43 lead midway through the third quarter, only to see the Rockets claw back into contention, narrowing the deficit to just three points in the final quarter.

Throughout the game, Butler maintained his composure and made key plays to support Curry and stabilize the Warriors' performance. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr remarked on Butler's calming influence, stating, He has that impact every game. He calms things down. Hes very confident. He always believes were going to win. Kerr, who celebrated his 100th playoff victory as a head coach, compared the games intensity and style to an old-school affair from 1997, highlighting the physical, defensive-minded nature of the contest.

The Warriors acknowledged the physicality of the Rockets, with Butler asserting that their team would not shy away from any challenge. We met brute force with brute force, he explained, while also recognizing the need for finesse in their play. I think we handled their pressure incredibly well knowing that coming out the next game is probably going to be two to three times even more physical.

One area of concern for the Warriors moving forward is their ability to control the defensive glass. The Rockets dominated with 22 offensive rebounds, leading to an equal number of second-chance points, an aspect that the Warriors will need to address in future games. Additionally, the Warriors are aware that Houston will continue to apply pressure on Curry, especially given the Rockets' strategy of deploying long, athletic wing defenders to stifle the star point guard.

Despite the defensive pressure, Curry showcased his scoring ability, hitting 12 of his 19 shots, including five three-pointers, to finish the game with 31 points. This performance marked his seventh career postseason game scoring 30 points against the Rockets, tying for the most he has against any single opponent, according to ESPN Research. Curry acknowledged that when Houston focused on him, it opened up opportunities for Butler, allowing the Warriors to benefit from Butler's timely contributions.

Just a continuation of what its been like since hes been on our team from February, Curry noted, highlighting Butler's knack for stepping up in critical moments. If theyre going to swarm and try to take me out of plays in the half court, you have a guy that can create a lot of looks -- and defensively, as well. Butlers impact extends beyond the court stats, as he plays significantly larger than his size would suggest, adding depth and versatility to the Warriors lineup.

Since Butler's debut with the Warriors on February 8, the team has boasted an impressive record of 25 wins and 8 losses, also leading the league in defensive rankings during that stretch. As the series progresses, the Warriors are eager to build on this momentum and leverage Butlers dynamic skill set in their pursuit of playoff success.