Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Timeline: Key Moments and Rivalry History

The Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors time line highlights one of the NBA’s most compelling inter‑division rivalries, shaped by decades of regular‑season battles and intense playoff showdowns. From early meetings through their recent 2025 playoff series, the timeline of matchups between the Rockets and Warriors reflects changing team identities, iconic performances, and memorable moments. This detailed look at the Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors time line explores the history, regular‑season contests, and dramatic postseason clashes that define this rivalry in modern basketball.

Early Meetings: Establishing the Rivalry

The Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors time line begins long before either team became perennial contenders. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, both teams competed frequently in regular‑season play as part of the NBA’s Western Conference. These early games set the stage for future clashes, though neither franchise had sustained dominance in that era. Head‑to‑head regular‑season statistics show many battles across decades, with the Rockets holding a historically solid edge in wins over Golden State.

Mid‑2000s and Changing Fortunes

As the league evolved, the Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors time line saw shifts in both teams’ trajectories. During the mid‑2000s, the Rockets were known for competitive veteran rosters, while the Warriors were rebuilding toward future championship form. Head‑to‑head matchups in this period were competitive but lacked the signature intensity that would develop later in the 2010s.

2015–2019: Playoff Clutch Moments and Warriors’ Dominance

The Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors time line took on new significance in the mid‑2010s, when both teams became Western Conference contenders. Between 2015 and 2019, the Rockets and Warriors met four times in the playoffs, with Golden State winning all four series.

2015 Western Conference Finals

Golden State won the series 4–1, marking the start of a dominant era for the Warriors.

2016 Western Conference First Round

The Warriors repeated their success with a 4–1 victory, showcasing Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green at their peak.

2018 Western Conference Finals

Another close but decisive series ended with the Warriors winning 4–3, emphasizing Golden State’s ability to succeed in tight matchups.

2019 Western Conference Semifinals

Golden State secured a 4–2 series win, reinforcing its postseason edge over Houston during this era.

During these years, the Warriors frequently achieved NBA Finals appearances and championships, while the Rockets’ perennial playoff ambitions were repeatedly stalled by Golden State’s star‑studded lineup.

Regular‑Season Battles Through the 2024–25 Campaign

While playoff history shaped much of the rivalry’s drama, the Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors time line also includes regular‑season confrontations. Across hundreds of games, the Rockets have historically maintained a slight edge in regular‑season head‑to‑head wins, holding more total victories than the Warriors.

Notable 2024–25 Regular‑Season Meetings

• December 11, 2024: Rockets won 91–90 on the road.

• February 13, 2025: Warriors defeated Rockets 105–98.

• April 6, 2025: Rockets won 106–96, maintaining competitive balance.

These head‑to‑head regular‑season games added context to the postseason clash that would follow, forming part of the continuous competition between Houston and Golden State.

The 2025 Playoffs: A Defining Chapter

The Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors timeline reached a dramatic high point in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, when the teams met in the Western Conference First Round for the first time since 2019. The series produced some of the most memorable moments in recent history.

Game 1: Warriors Take Early Command

The Warriors won Game 1 95–85, with Stephen Curry scoring 31 points and Jimmy Butler adding 25, giving Golden State momentum on the road in Houston.

Game 2: Rockets Respond with Authority

Houston bounced back in Game 2, winning 109–94 behind a 38‑point performance from Jalen Green and a double‑double from Alperen Şengün.

Mid‑Series Battles Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors timeline

Golden State won Games 3 (104–93) and 4 (109–106), showcasing comeback ability and clutch scoring from Curry and Butler.

Game 5 and Game 6 Showdowns Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors timeline

The series continued to alternate leads, with Houston winning Game 5 to stay alive and then delivering a dramatic 115–107 victory in Game 6 to tie the series 3–3. Fred VanVleet led the effort with a near triple‑double performance.

Game 7: Warriors Prevail Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors timeline

In the decisive Game 7, Golden State closed out the series with a 103–89 win, led by Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield, and veteran poise. This victory gave the Warriors a 4–3 series triumph and progression to the Conference Semifinals in 2025.

This 2025 first‑round series — a full seven games — added a dramatic chapter to the Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors time line, illustrating how competitive and unpredictable their matchup can be when stakes are highest.

Historical Context: Long‑Term Head‑to‑Head Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors timeline

Over the course of NBA history, the Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors timeline reflects a rivalry with long stretches of competition and memorable encounters. In all playoff games between the two teams, Golden State holds a significant advantage, with more wins overall in postseason play.

Across regular‑season games, the Rockets hold more total victories historically, but both teams remain competitive whenever they meet due to the ebb and flow of roster changes and evolving team strategies.

Significance of the Rockets–Warriors Rivalry Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors timeline

The Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors time line showcases how NBA rivalries evolve over time, influenced by star players, coaching philosophies, and postseason drama. From early matchups to intense playoff series, this rivalry has experienced periods of dominance by Golden State as well as competitive resurgence from Houston. The narratives — whether Curry’s offensive brilliance or Houston’s young stars like Green and Şengün — continue to shape this rivalry’s history.

Conclusion

In summary, the Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors time line is rich with memorable moments, significant wins, and evolving dynamics. From their early regular‑season battles to the intense 2025 playoff series, each chapter adds meaning to one of the NBA’s most intriguing matchups. As both teams continue to grow and build new rosters, future chapters in this timeline are certain to include more dramatic games, passionate fan engagement, and competitive excellence that define professional basketball.