(The Sports Xchange) - The Golden State Warriors built a big early lead and overcame an injury to point guard Stephen Curry to thump the Houston Rockets 104-78 in the opener of the Western Conference first-round series in Oakland, California on Saturday. Curry, the league's leading scorer, had 24 points, including 16 in the first quarter, before twisting his right ankle in the second quarter of the Warriors' 40th win in 42 home dates this season. The league's reigning Most Valuable Player went to the locker room for examination just before halftime and returned to play the first 2:47 of the third quarter before Warriors coach Steve Kerr abruptly called a timeout and took his star out of the game.