Warriors stay on message to open playoff series vs. Rockets, NorCal native named award finalist

HOUSTON – The Warriors have heard all about the Houston Rockets’ plan to make their first-round Western Conference playoff series a physical grind. 

The Rockets have made no secret that they intend to make Golden State fight for every dribble and inch of space during a best-of-seven matchup that begins in Texas on Easter Sunday. 

Golden State (48-34) is the No. 7 seed, while Houston (52-30) is the No. 2 seed and beat the Warriors three out of the five times they met during the regular season. 

With known Warriors foils such as Dillon Brooks, Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet on the other side, Golden State’s veterans have repeatedly said that maintaining a level head is a key to success in the series. 

“It’s money time and it’s the playoffs, so you have to lock in,” Gary Payton II said. “We have a lot of guys that have been in these situations with the playoffs, so we need to follow their lead, stay composed and not get too hyped up.”

Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney were part of the dynastic Warriors teams that beat Houston in four playoff series between 2015 and 2019. 

While Payton was not around for those storied series, he still has a tested strategy for maintaining his cool if heated moments arise during the series. 

“Smile, just smile and be grateful for these types of moments,” Payton II said. “Have fun with them, and at the end of the day, it’s just basketball, but it’s meaningful basketball, so that’s the best part about it.”

The Warriors stressed the importance of hitting the glass, since Houston led the league in both total rebounds (48.5 per game) and offensive boards (14.6).

Much of that can be credited to having the 6-foot-11 twin-tower lineup of Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams under the rim, along with 6-foot-7 freak athlete Amen Thompson from Oakland, who is capable of flying above the pack.

Moses Moody said that the Warriors’ perimeter players – not just bigs Green, Looney and Quinten Post – will need to put in work on the glass for the Warriors to be effective. 

“It’s going to be aggressive, but it’s the playoffs, so you just have to play hard and put it all on the line,” Moody said. 

Fortunately for Golden State, the Rockets are far from an offensive juggernaut. 

While Houston led the league in shots attempted per game at 93.4, it was 21st in overall field goal percentage, 21st in 3-point shooting accuracy and last at the free throw line at just 73.8%.

If the Warriors do not turn the ball over and rebound well, that would eliminate many of the easy looks Houston relies on to keep its attack afloat. 

“They play with a lot of pressure, so like (Payton) said, hit the singles and don’t try to hit home runs,” Moody said. “Don’t try to win the game in one play, and just take it possession by possession.” 

Former Bay Area star in running for Rookie of the Year 

NorCal native and former Sonoma State star Jaylen Wells was listed as a finalist for the prestigious award on Sunday evening. 

The Grizzlies’ versatile 6-foot-8 defensive wing played in 79 games and averaged 10.4 points per game as the team’s top perimeter stopper. 

Wells went to Folsom High near Sacramento, and was named the Sacramento Bee’s 2021 high school Player of the Year. 

He played two seasons at Sonoma State – a program that played its last season in 2025 after the school cut all athletic programs – before transferring to Washington State as a junior. 

Before playing in the Rising Stars game at Chase Center, Wells reflected on returning to the Bay Area. 

“This means everything,” Wells said. “It’s a full-circle moment being so close to Sonoma State, being around family and being so close to home.

“… My agent was telling me that a year and a half ago, I was playing against Cal Poly Pomona, and no offense to them, but now I’m playing against Luka Dončić. It kind of puts everything in perspective.”