Following the Golden State Warriors’ thrilling Game 1 victory over the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Charles Barkley’s pre-game concerns about Stephen Curry’s endurance are under scrutiny.
On NBA on TNT, Barkley had stated, “The energy level that Steph is gonna have to put forward… I don’t know if he can sustain it for seven games,” questioning whether Curry could maintain his high-octane performance throughout a grueling playoff series.
Yet, Curry and the Warriors responded with a statement win on the road, taking a 1-0 lead against the second-seeded Rockets.
The Warriors’ success in Game 1 in Houston showcased their revamped roster bolstered by the addition of Jimmy Butler.
A graphic shared by NBA on TNT highlighted Butler’s impact since joining Golden State: the team’s record has climbed to third-best in the NBA, their defensive rating has soared to first overall, and they lead the league in points off turnovers.
Their clutch record has improved from 15th to 4th, and their offensive rating has risen from 19th to 9th, underscoring Butler’s transformative presence on both ends of the floor.
Despite Barkley’s doubts, Curry delivered a stellar performance, proving his resilience in the playoff opener.
However, Barkley had picked the Rockets to win the series, citing their overall talent and home-court advantage.
With the Warriors now holding the upper hand, the pressure is on Curry to sustain his energy as the series progresses.
After a hard-fought Game 1, all eyes will be on the Warriors’ superstar to see if he can defy Barkley’s concerns and lead Golden State past the Rockets.
