Rockets Lose Game 1 to Warriors, Ime Udoka Calls for Improvement

The Houston Rockets struggled offensively in their Game 1 loss to the Golden State Warriors, shooting just 39% from the field and 6-for-29 from three-point range, despite dominating the offensive glass and seeing a strong performance from Alperen Sengun. Head coach Ime Udoka acknowledged the team's defensive effort was sufficient but emphasized that poor shooting and turnovers, particularly from the backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green, were decisive factors in the defeat. Udoka remained calm about the loss, noting the need for others to step up offensively and not to overreact to one poor game in a best-of-seven series. The Rockets' aggressive, physical style and defensive strengths, which helped them achieve a 30-win improvement under Udoka, are expected to be key as the series progresses. The matchup is anticipated to be highly physical, with both teams aware of the need to maintain composure, especially against experienced playoff veterans like Draymond Green. As the series continues, the Rockets face urgency to improve their offensive efficiency to avoid falling further behind.