Rockets Force Game 7 with Victory Over Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO – Fred VanVleet led the charge with 29 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds, while Alperen Sengun added 21 points and 14 rebounds, as the Houston Rockets extended their playoff journey by defeating the Golden State Warriors 115-107 on Friday night. This victory forces a decisive Game 7 in their first-round series. The Warriors faced a cold streak at the most critical time, missing 13 consecutive shots between Draymond Green’s make at 10:12 left in the game and Stephen Curry’s three-pointer at the 3:35 mark. Now, the teams will head back to Houston for Game 7 on Sunday, with the winner set to face a well-rested Minnesota in the Western Conference semifinals. The Warriors were eager to finish the series at Chase Center, avoiding an extra flight back to Texas. “Just make everything tough,” VanVleet shared with ESPN regarding Houston’s impactful fourth quarter strategy. “We know what to expect from them, so we aimed to contest everything. With our double big man lineup, we secured the rim and rebounded effectively, all while staying aggressive on offense.”

Curry managed to score 29 points but struggled with efficiency, going 9-of-23 from the field and 6-for-16 from beyond the arc. Jimmy Butler contributed a meaningful 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Under the guidance of coach Ime Udoka, Houston boasts a 5-1 record in elimination games. VanVleet sparked the fourth quarter with a crucial four-point play after the Warriors trimmed their deficit to two points, thanks to Curry’s late third-quarter surge. Jalen Green promptly followed up with a putback, and VanVleet’s three from above the arc at 6:47 pushed Houston to a 101-89 lead. “We simply can’t allow a four-point play when the game’s that close,” acknowledged Draymond Green. Curry’s driving layup late in the third quarter brought the crowd, clad in vibrant yellow playoff shirts, to a roar. His subsequent free throws brought the Warriors within two points, at 86-84. However, they couldn’t sustain the momentum. Houston delivered a well-rounded performance, highlighted by Steven Adams’ 17 points and energetic plays off the bench, consistently responding to Golden State’s challenges. After taking a 3-1 series lead, the Warriors quickly relinquished it following a 131-116 defeat on Wednesday night, as the Rockets elevated their offensive game beyond previous averages of 98 points per game in the series. VanVleet’s stellar performance continued, shooting 7-for-13 from the field after two consecutive games at 8-for-13, alongside hitting all nine free throws. Impressively, he’s been 18-for-27 from three-point range over the last three games. “He’s found his comfort zone and is executing well,” Draymond Green remarked. “We need to disrupt that somehow.”