Philippines, 09 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA West Finals -- Warriors steal homecourt with Game 1 win


PhilBoxing.com




CHICAGO -- The highly-anticipated Western Conference Finals duel between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets was electric as anticipated, full of thrills and chills.

But after 48 minutes of action, it was the defending champion Warriors who drew first blood, beating the host Rockets 119-106 in Game 1 on Monday night at the Toyota Center.

Kevin Durant, a former NBA MVP and last June's Finals MVP, was too hot to handle with 37 points on 14 of 27 shooting including thee made 3s. Steph Curry wasn't as explosive with a relatively low 18 points, but his Splash Brother, Klay Tompson, erupted for six triples to finish with 28.

James Harden had a fast start, nine quick points that helped Houston take an early 23-14 lead. The presumptive MVP went on to tally 41 but it wasn't enough as the gritty Warriors, showing the poise of champions, recovered and shot 42 of 80 field goals including 13 of 33 from long distance.

"Our guys have been here before, Our guys have a lot of experience, they felt this, they relish this," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told The San Francisco Chronicle.

"If we want to beat them we have to be mentally sharper. There were too many times we had mental lapses," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said after the loss, one that surrendered homecourt advantage to Golden State.

Houston, the No.1 overall seed in these playoffs, finished with 39 of 85 from the field and 13 of 37 from 3-point range.

It simply wasn't enough against a talent-loaded, focused Golden State.

Game 2 resumes Wednesday night (Thursday AM in the Philippines) at the Toyota Center. If the Rockets want to make this a long series they need to hold serve because the Warriors, who host Games 3 and 4 in Oakland, California, have an active 15-0 streak at the Oracle Arena.

caption -- Kevin Durant had an easy time scoring 37 points against the Rockets. He shot over shorter defenders and danced around bigger opposition. The result was just as easy, Warriors 119, Rockets 106.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
    , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
    , Thu, 01 Jan 2026
  • Lover Boy on hot streak
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
    , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.