Houston Rockets Stun Golden State Warriors to Force Deciding Game 7
In a thrilling NBA playoff matchup, the Houston Rockets kept their season alive with a stunning 115-107 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. The win forces a deciding Game 7 in their first-round playoff series, with the Rockets now looking to cause a major upset.
According to a report by The Guardian, Fred VanVleet was instrumental in the Rockets’ success, scoring 29 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out eight assists. Alperen Sengun also made a significant contribution, notching 21 points and 14 rebounds. The Rockets’ win was crucial, as it denied the Warriors the opportunity to clinch the series at home in Chase Center.
The Warriors’ struggles began when they went cold in the fourth quarter, missing 13 consecutive shots between Draymond Green’s basket with 10:12 remaining and Stephen Curry’s three-pointer at the 3:35 mark. This slump allowed the Rockets to pull away and secure the win. As The Guardian notes, "Golden State went cold when it mattered most."
The Rockets’ victory sets up a thrilling Game 7 on Sunday in Houston, with the winner advancing to face the well-rested Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semi-finals. The Warriors had been hoping to avoid this scenario, but ultimately, they were unable to close out the series. The Guardian reports that Curry scored 29 points, but shot just 9 of 23 from the floor, including 6 of 16 from deep.
The game was marked by several key moments, including VanVleet’s conversion of a four-point play to start the fourth quarter, which gave the Rockets a crucial advantage. Jalen Green also made a significant contribution, scoring on a putback of his own miss. As The Guardian notes, "VanVleet converted a four-point play to start the fourth quarter after the Warriors had pulled within two with Curry’s flurry to end the third."
The Warriors’ defeat was their 11th in 38 games since February 8, following Jimmy Butler’s trade from Miami. Despite the loss, Curry remained optimistic, acknowledging that the team had given their all. Draymond Green, meanwhile, made history, passing Isiah Thomas (987) for 15th place on the NBA playoff assists list with 992.
In a closely contested series, the Rockets have shown remarkable resilience, bouncing back from a 3-1 deficit to force a deciding Game 7. As The Guardian reports, "The Warriors led 3-1 in the series but fell behind in a hurry in a 131-116 Game 5 loss Wednesday night as Houston’s offense rolled after averaging 98 points through the first four games of the series." With the series now set to go to a deciding game, basketball fans are in for a thrilling conclusion to this first-round playoff matchup.
The Rockets’ win was a testament to their balanced effort on both ends of the court, with 17 points and several hustle plays from big man Steven Adams off the bench. As The Guardian notes, "With a balanced effort on both ends – including 17 points and hustle plays by big man Steven Adams off the bench – Houston had an answer nearly every time Golden State threatened or made a big play."
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/03/houston-rockets-golden-state-warriors-game-report
This article is based on a report by The Guardian.
