The Houston Rockets will live to fight another day. That day will be on Sunday. It wasn't easy, but the Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors by a final score of 115-107 in a thrilling Game 6 of their NBA Western Conference playoff series on Friday, May 2, 2025. As this series wears on, both teams continue to make adjustments. That said, the Rockets deployed one strategy that they may not want to abandon. It was wildly successful in this contest.
Heading into this series, there was debate about how successful the Rockets' double-big lineup might be. Some theorized that Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams together would be too slow to contain the Warriors. Others felt that they'd overwhelm a small Golden State team with brute force. It seems the latter crowd was on the money. Adams was on the floor for 31 minutes in this one, more than Jabari Smith Jr. (19) or Tari Eason (16). He shared most of those minutes with Sengun. The results speak for themselves.
All told, the Rockets outrebounded the Warriors, and that's not the only advantage their size gave them. They were able to limit the Warriors' driving lanes with their size and reach. Sengun's newfound ability to defend in space was especially apparent. What else helped propel the Rockets? The diminutive Fred VanVleet was pivotal to this victory. He had 29 efficient points and 8 assists. Sengun had an impressive statline as well with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. Jalen Green was once again disappointing, but that's an article of its own. Otherwise, the Rockets played their roles well. They'll need to carry that intensity into Sunday's game.
Game 7. The two most exciting words in sports. They're a bit nerve-wracking as well. It's uncommon to come back from a 3-1 deficit, but this is anyone's series now. Houston will host the last game of this series at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, 2025. If they win, they'll face the Timberwolves in round 2. It's hard to believe the Rockets could be in the second round. They can't afford to look ahead - all their focus should be on Game 7. Still, we can start thinking about the Wolves as fans: They tend to play big as well.
The Rockets rode a crushing fourth quarter to this victory, silencing an 18,000-strong crowd at the Warriors' Chase Center arena with an explosive finish. Houston put together a remarkable 12-0 scoring run in the final frame, pushing their lead to as many as 17 points. Draymond Green expressed his frustration post-game, stating, "It’s all about what we’re not doing, which is fighting to come up with the loose balls when they’re out there." The turning point was undoubtedly the Rockets' 14-1 run in the fourth quarter that put them up 106-89.
Before the Warriors ran out of gas, their stars played well. Steph Curry scored 29 points and Jimmy Butler added 27. However, neither shot well in the last 12 minutes, unable to keep up with VanVleet's hot hand or the Rockets and their 42 points in the paint, where Sengun and Adams combined for 38 points. The Warriors are now just 48 minutes away from possibly blowing a 3-1 series lead for the first time since the infamous 2016 Finals against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Warriors entered the fourth quarter trailing by just two points, but they allowed the Rockets to cap a 6-0 run with a tough baseline putback by Jalen Green. After the Warriors scored four unanswered in response, Houston got back on track with a Sengun layup and four points from Thompson. The Rockets took a 25-21 lead after 12 minutes, keyed by four offensive rebounds and a trapping zone defense that forced five turnovers, three by Curry, who has dealt with a thumb injury for months.
The Rockets showed more fire from the get-go in Game 6 and used a two-way effort in the fourth quarter to seal the win. VanVleet scored a blistering 29 points on 7-for-13 shooting, hitting six of nine triples. Alperen Sengun followed with a needed 21 points, while Steven Adams led with 17 points in finishing as a +15 plus-minus off the bench. Adams has been a dominant interior force in the last few games, forcing the Warriors to send him to the line over and over. On Friday night, he finished 9-for-16 from the free-throw line.
As the anticipation builds for Game 7, the stakes couldn't be higher. The Rockets have demonstrated their resilience and ability to adapt, while the Warriors must regroup and find a way to overcome their recent struggles. The series has been a rollercoaster, and now it comes down to one final showdown in Houston.
Game 7 promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams vying for a spot in the next round. The Rockets' recent momentum and the Warriors' experience will make for an exhilarating match-up. Fans are eagerly awaiting what could be a historic comeback for Houston or a redemption arc for Golden State. One thing is for sure: the excitement is palpable, and both teams will leave it all on the court.
