Pushed to the brink of elimination, the Houston Rockets delivered a playoff gem Wednesday night to beat the Golden State Warriors 131-116 and keep their season alive in Game 5 of the first-round playoff series. With this victory, the Rockets have narrowed the gap in the Western Conference series to 3-2, setting the stage for a critical Game 6 on Friday in San Francisco.
Fred VanVleet led the charge for Houston, scoring 26 points, with 14 of those coming in a blistering first quarter that saw the Rockets establish a commanding lead. Amen Thompson added 25 points and showcased his defensive prowess with five steals, while Dillon Brooks contributed 24 points. The Rockets displayed a well-rounded offensive performance, with all five starters scoring in double figures.
The game began with Houston racing out to a 15-0 run, fueled by VanVleet's sharpshooting. He made four of five shot attempts in the first quarter, including three of four from beyond the arc, helping the Rockets secure a 40-24 lead by the end of the first frame. Houston’s shooting was on fire, finishing the quarter with a remarkable 64.7% shooting percentage and making all 13 of their free throws.
Despite the Warriors’ attempts to claw their way back into the game, the Rockets maintained a significant lead throughout. By halftime, Houston had extended their advantage to 76-49, showcasing their dominance on both ends of the court. VanVleet’s corner three-pointer capped off a spectacular opening period, and Thompson’s contributions in the second half kept the momentum firmly in Houston’s favor.
As the game progressed, the Rockets led by as many as 31 points in the third quarter. However, the Warriors, led by Moses Moody off the bench who scored 25 points, attempted a late comeback, trimming the deficit to just 13 points in the fourth quarter. This prompted Rockets head coach Ime Udoka to reinsert his starters to regain control of the game.
Golden State’s head coach Steve Kerr made the decision to pull Stephen Curry and his other starters with 5:50 left in the third quarter, acknowledging the game was out of hand. Curry finished with 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting, while Jimmy Butler, who had been a key player, struggled with just eight points on 2-of-10 shooting.
The intensity of the game escalated in the final minutes, culminating in a scuffle that led to the ejection of Warriors reserve Pat Spencer for headbutting Rockets center Alperen Sengun. The Rockets seized on the disruption, going on a 7-2 run to close out the game decisively.
Houston's victory not only keeps their playoff hopes alive but also places them in a rare position to potentially become the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven series. The Rockets have achieved this feat previously, most recently in the 2015 Western Conference semifinals against the Clippers.
For the Warriors, this loss is a setback as they look to close out the series in Game 6. Historically, they have eliminated the Rockets four times in playoff matchups between 2015 and 2019, but this season, they face a renewed Rockets team that has shown resilience and determination.
As the teams prepare for Game 6, the stakes are high. The Rockets will aim to continue their momentum from this impressive win, while the Warriors will need to regroup and refocus to avoid letting the series slip away. The anticipation for Friday’s matchup is palpable, with both teams fully aware of the implications of the next game.
With the series hanging in the balance, the Rockets have proven they are not ready to go home just yet. Fans can expect a thrilling encounter in San Francisco as both teams vie for a pivotal win in the ongoing battle for playoff supremacy.
