The Golden State Warriors are set to face the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of their first-round series.

The Warriors are on the road as they are the No. 7 seed and underdog in the matchup, though they were able to secure a 95-85 win over the Rockets in Game 1.

The biggest difference in Game 1 for Golden State was quite simple: they had Stephen Curry on their squad.

The legendary guard hit some clutch shots to put the dagger in Houston’s heart, ensuring they would take at least one of the two road games to kick the series off.

Curry finished the game with 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting, with his co-star, Jimmy Butler, pouring in an additional 25 points, which can go a long way in a low-scoring affair.

The Warriors have looked remarkable since slotting Butler into the lineup post-trade deadline, with the exception of a late-season skid.

Golden State could have quite a shake-up in Game 2, though, as a key piece of their lineup got bad news before the game.

Jan 31, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) drives to the hoop next to Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center.

© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Ahead of Game 2 in the Toyota Center, the Warriors announced Brandin Podzkiemski has been downgraded to questionable with an illness.

“Brandin Podziemski is now questionable tonight for Game 2 vs Rockets with an illness. He was spotted at morning shootaround sitting off to the side,” The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported.

What was it to spin up a quick illness to leave him questionable? Golden State head coach Steve Kerr put it simply.

“Something he ate,” Kerr explained.

Podziemski is a key piece in the Warriors’ starting lineup, and it’d be a tough blow for the team to be without him in the game. 

The Santa Clara product will warm up before deciding whether or not he will be good to go.

*The club has since announced Podziemski is good to go against the Rockets.