OAKLAND, Calif. — Like all sports franchises of a certain vintage, the Golden State Warriors like to think they have a proud history. Their practice gym in downtown Oakland is nostalgically lined with former logos and photographs of former players.
But the Warriors had not reached the conference finals since 1976, the year after the team, led by Rick Barry, won its only N.B.A. championship in the Bay Area, where it has resided since 1962.
On Tuesday night, in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Houston Rockets, the Warriors made up for lost time.