KEYPOINTS SUMMARY
- Warriors blow a chance to advance at home, losing 115-107 to Rockets
- Stephen Curry scored 29 but struggled late as the offense collapsed
- Golden State missed 13 straight shots in the fourth quarter
- Houston forces Game 7, now back in Texas for a Sunday showdown
- Fred VanVleet scored 29 and led a fourth-quarter surge
- Warriors once led the series 3-1 but now face elimination
- Game 7 winner meets Minnesota in the next round
- Draymond Green flagged for early foul; both teams stayed calm
Warriors Game 7 Heartbreak: Home Crowd Silenced as Rockets Force Decider
It wasn’t supposed to end like this — not at home, not in front of 18,000 fans waving gold towels and chanting every breath in sync with Stephen Curry’s every move.
But on Friday night, inside a stunned Chase Center, the Golden State Warriors’ dreams of ending the series on their own floor slipped through their fingers, undone by missed shots, missed chances, and a Houston team that simply refused to quit.
Final score: Rockets 115, Warriors 107.
Series: tied 3-3.
Mood: crushed.
And now, Golden State — once up 3-1 in the series — must go back to Houston for a brutal Game 7 against a team that suddenly looks unstoppable.
The Collapse: When the Shots Stopped Falling
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Warriors choked in the fourth quarter.
After Draymond Green’s bucket at the 10:12 mark, Golden State missed 13 consecutive shots, a cold streak that felt like an eternity. Curry finally broke the silence with a three at 3:35, but by then, the momentum had shifted for good.
The fans, so loud minutes before, fell into stunned silence.
What started as a celebration ended in quiet disbelief.
Stephen Curry Tried to Save the Night — But It Wasn’t Enough
Curry scored 29 points, and when he hit that layup late in the third and followed it with two free throws, the building was shaking. The Warriors were down by two and surging. For a moment, it felt like everything was back on track.
But even Curry couldn’t drag them out of the fourth-quarter disaster. He shot 9 of 23 from the field, 6 for 16 from three, and just couldn’t get the offense humming when it mattered most.
“I’ve got to be better,” Curry said softly postgame. “We all do.”
Fred VanVleet: The Quiet Assassin Who Stole Game 6
While Golden State froze, Fred VanVleet caught fire.
The Rockets’ guard poured in 29 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out eight assists, and hit clutch shot after clutch shot to quiet the crowd and steal the game.
He started the fourth with a devastating four-point play, then nailed a three from the top of the arc minutes later to push Houston’s lead to 12.
He was everywhere — confident, calm, and completely in control.
“He’s been unbelievable for us,” said Rockets coach Ime Udoka. “That’s the guy you want in moments like this.”
Houston Answers Every Challenge — and Then Some
Give credit where it’s due: the Rockets never blinked.
When Curry made his run, they answered. When the Warriors tried to rally late, they stayed composed. And with help from Alperen Sengun’s 21 points and 14 rebounds, plus 17 hustle-filled points off the bench from Steven Adams, Houston controlled the final minutes like a veteran team.
Now? They’ve completely flipped the script.
From 3-1 to Do-or-Die: How Did We Get Here?
Let’s rewind.
The Warriors were up 3-1 in the series. They had Game 5 in Houston circled. They lost by 15 points as the Rockets exploded for 131 points.
Then came Friday night — a chance to bounce back and end it at home. The city was ready. The arena was buzzing.
But now, it’s Houston with the upper hand — and the Warriors flying into unfamiliar territory: panic mode.
Jimmy Butler Adds Grit, But Not Enough Firepower
Jimmy Butler, who arrived midseason from Miami, was supposed to be the final piece. And he delivered — 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists — another classic Jimmy performance.
But he needed help. The bench went quiet. The team went ice-cold. And the moment slipped away.
The Warriors are now 27-11 since Butler’s debut on Feb. 8 — but if Sunday doesn’t go their way, that streak ends in heartbreak.
Early Drama: Draymond’s Flagrant Foul Sets the Tone
The game started with tension. Just 3 minutes in, Draymond Green picked up a flagrant-1 foul for shoving Jalen Green. The play went to review, and while it didn’t escalate, it served as a warning shot.
Both teams knew what was at stake. Emotions ran hot. But for the rest of the game, the intensity was channeled into defense, hustle, and — for Houston — timely buckets.
Game 7: What’s Next for the Warriors
Sunday. Houston. Game 7.
That’s all that matters now.
The Warriors will need:
- A locked-in Curry
- A next-level Butler performance
- Bench support
- And most of all, resilience
This team has been here before. But how many comebacks can one dynasty make?
The Rockets are young, fearless, and suddenly brimming with belief.
The winner gets Minnesota. The loser gets a long summer of regret.
Warriors Game 7 Heartbreak Sets Up a Painful Fight for Survival
This wasn’t just a loss — this was a gut punch.
Golden State had everything in place. The home crowd. The experience. The lead in the series. And somehow, it still slipped through their hands.
Now, it all comes down to one night in Houston.
One game to save a season.
One final shot to avoid disaster.
And if the Warriors fall short, Friday night might go down as the night it all fell apart.
Because Warriors Game 7 heartbreak is real — and the pressure has never been heavier.
