SAN FRANCISCO – Stephen Curry exhibited his trademark scoring bursts to bring the Golden State Warriors back into the contest, but Fred VanVleet’s momentum-seizing play at the start of the fourth quarter shifted the energy right back to the Rockets.
VanVleet delivered a stellar performance with 29 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds, while Alperen Sengun added 21 points and 14 boards. This effort propelled the Houston Rockets to a 115-107 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, extending the series to a decisive Game 7 in the first round of the playoffs.
Golden State struggled offensively at a crucial time, missing 13 straight field goals following Draymond Green’s basket with 10:12 remaining until Curry’s 3-pointer broke the dry spell at 3:35.
The scene now shifts back to Houston for Game 7 on Sunday, with the winner set to face a well-rested Minnesota team in the Western Conference semifinals. The Warriors had hoped to close out the series at home at Chase Center.
“We understand the importance of this opportunity,” stated Warriors forward Jimmy Butler.
Curry recorded 29 points on 9-of-23 shooting, including 6-for-16 from beyond the arc. Butler made notable contributions as well, tallying 27 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
Houston coach Ime Udoka has proven effective in elimination games, improving his record to 5-1, whereas Golden State’s Steve Kerr maintains a 7-0 record in first-round playoff series.
VanVleet’s impactful four-point play came right after the Warriors had pulled within two points, spurred by Curry’s momentum in the third quarter. Jalen Green followed with a putback score, and VanVleet’s top-of-the-key 3-pointer at 6:47 extended Houston’s lead to 101-89.
“We can’t let a four-point play happen in such close game conditions,” commented Draymond Green.
Curry’s layup with 39 seconds in the third quarter narrowed the gap, igniting the crowd outfitted in bright yellow playoff attire with rally towels waving. Two subsequent free throws brought the Warriors within 86-84.
However, the Warriors struggled to maintain momentum. Houston’s balanced play, including crucial contributions like Steven Adams’ 17 bench points and hustle plays, ensured they countered Golden State’s biggest plays effectively.
Golden State was ahead 3-1 in the series but quickly fell behind during a 131-116 defeat in Game 5 when Houston’s offense flourished, averaging 98 points in the series’ first four games.
VanVleet shone once more, shooting 7-for-13 and maintaining a perfect free-throw record (22-of-22 in the series). Over the last three games, he’s been 18-for-27 from three-point range. In response, Kerr inserted defensive ace Gary Payton II into the starting lineup for Brandin Podziemski.
Draymond Green incurred an early offensive foul for a shove on Jalen Green, initially called a flagrant-1 after review. However, both teams remained composed, evading further altercations.
“Our mindset for the series was resilience,” Udoka explained. “Expect a physical game, no whining. We embrace the physicality, favoring us in most scenarios.”