In a thrilling showdown, the Houston Rockets staved off elimination with a stellar performance against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. The Rockets clinched a decisive 131-116 victory in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series, keeping their hopes alive.
Fred VanVleet emerged as a pivotal player, scoring 26 points. His teammate, Amen Thompson, was not far behind, contributing 25 points to the team’s impressive tally. “Nobody wants to go home,” expressed Alperen Sengun, conveying the team’s determination.
The series now heads to a crucial Game 6 on Friday in San Francisco. Warriors coach Steve Kerr opted to concede early, resting his starters after Fred VanVleet’s layup extended Houston’s lead to 93-64 midway through the third quarter. Houston’s coach Ime Udoka also rotated his bench but reinstated his starters when the Warriors narrowed the gap to 109-92.
Dillon Brooks chipped in with 24 points, enhancing a night where all five Houston starters reached double figures. VanVleet, a seasoned player with championship experience against Golden State from his time with Toronto, motivated his younger teammates. “Keep everything light and fresh and confident,” he advised, aiming to lift their spirits after competitive contests in the series.
A tense moment arose late in the game, as the Warriors inched within 114-101, lasting until an altercation led to Pat Spencer being ejected for a headbutt on Alperen Sengun. Following the incident, the Rockets secured their victory with a decisive 7-2 run.
Acknowledging the Rockets’ dominance, Kerr admitted, “Houston was great and they took it to us right away. But like I said, it was an important finish.” Leading the Warriors, reserve player Moses Moody stood out with 25 points. In an impressive display, Golden State’s bench contributed 76 points — a franchise playoff record since the early 70s.
After facing setbacks in California, including a Game 3 absence of Jimmy Butler due to injury, the Rockets exhibited their finest postseason performance. “We came out aggressive, executed offensively and defensively,” reflected Jalen Green, attributing their success to focus and professionalism.
Kicking off the game, the Rockets quickly established a 14-point advantage by the end of the first quarter. By the time Stephen Curry registered his first points, Houston held a comfortable 55-32 lead. At halftime, they expanded this to a 27-point margin, buoyed by VanVleet’s 19 points.
Despite Jimmy Butler’s limited impact — scoring only 8 points in 25 minutes — Curry, who had been pivotal in previous games, contributed 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting. The Warriors managed 15 of 44 success from beyond the arc, while Houston capitalized on 13 of 30 three-pointers, shooting with impressive accuracy overall.
By forcing a Game 6, the Rockets aim to become the 14th team in NBA history to overturn a 3-1 series deficit. It’s a feat Houston has achieved twice before, notably in the 2015 Western Conference semifinals against the Clippers. History also remembers the Warriors’ heartbreak in 2016 when they surrendered a 3-1 Finals lead to Cleveland.
The Warriors have historically been a formidable boxing-out opponent for Houston, having eliminated the Rockets in four previous playoff battles between 2015 and 2019. As the series progresses, the Rockets are determined to write a different chapter.