The Rockets, who returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, got 26 points from Alperen Sengun in his first career postseason game. But VanVleet and Jalen Green struggled, making just 7 of 34 shots. Green, 23, was also making his playoff debut alongside 22-year-olds Sengun and Thompson.
VanVleet was 2-of-13 from 3-point range on a night Houston made just 6 of 29 3-pointers and was 11-of-20 on free throws.
The Warriors got a spot in the playoffs with a 121-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night in the Play-In Tournament.
They got yet another playoff victory over the Rockets after eliminating them four times from 2015-19.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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