The last time the Rockets hosted a playoff game at Toyota Center, it was six years ago and also against their 2025 first-round opponents, the Golden State Warriors. At the time, each member of Houston’s current young core of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Amen Thompson was a child simply trying to develop his skills to eventually reach the NBA.
The battle between the two teams was always a heated contest that generally favored the Warriors, who continuously pursued a spot in the NBA Finals representing the Western Conference. Since 2015, the Warriors have won the West six times and the NBA Finals four times.