The Golden State Warriors are on the brink of advancing to the second round of the NBA playoffs as they faced the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their first-round series on April 30, 2025. Entering the game with a commanding 3-1 lead, the Warriors were looking to close out the series at the Toyota Center in Houston.
In a thrilling Game 4, the Warriors managed to secure a narrow 109-106 victory, thanks in part to standout performances from Jimmy Butler and Brandon Podziemski. Butler, who returned from a pelvic injury, led the charge with 27 points, six assists, and five rebounds, including a crucial 14 points in the final quarter. Podziemski also shone brightly, contributing 26 points along with five rebounds and five assists. Stephen Curry chipped in with 17 points, continuing to showcase his leadership on the court.
As the game against the Rockets commenced, the NBA celebrated a significant milestone for Curry, announcing that he had moved into 18th place on the all-time playoff assists list. With 938 assists to his name, Curry surpassed the legendary Bob Cousy, who retired with 937 assists. "Congrats to @StephenCurry30 of the @warriors for moving into 18th on the all-time playoff ASSISTS list!" the NBA posted on social media.
Cousy, a Boston Celtics icon, enjoyed a storied career filled with accolades, including six championships and an MVP award in 1956-57. Curry, who averaged 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists during the regular season, has propelled the Warriors to the seventh seed in the Western Conference, positioning them as a formidable contender in the playoffs.
However, not all news was positive for the Warriors as they approached Game 5. Jonathan Kuminga was ruled out due to an illness, a late addition to the injury report. Kuminga had not played in Game 4 but had logged 43 minutes in Games 2 and 3, averaging 9.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in the series. His absence was felt, as he had been a valuable asset off the bench during the regular season, where he averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds.
As the Rockets prepared to defend their home court, they faced the daunting task of overcoming a 3-1 deficit. Historically, teams that find themselves in this position have a success rate of 95% in closing out their series. The Rockets, however, were determined to change their fate after failing to secure a win in Golden State.
Houston's Alperen Sengun led the team in Game 4 with a remarkable 31 points and 10 rebounds, while Fred VanVleet added 25 points and six assists, despite missing a critical game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer. Amen Thompson contributed 17 points and nine rebounds, but Jalen Green struggled, managing only eight points, significantly below his explosive 38-point performance in Game 2.
As fans tuned in to watch the pivotal Game 5, they had multiple viewing options, with the game broadcast live on TNT, truTV, NBC Sports Bay Area, and Space City Home Network, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. For those without cable, streaming services like FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and Sling offered promotional trials, making it easier for fans to catch the action.
The betting odds reflected the high stakes of the matchup, with the Warriors entering as underdogs with a moneyline of GS (+150) against the Rockets' (-180). The spread was set at GS (+4) and HOU (-4), with an over/under of 204 points, indicating a tightly contested game ahead.
As the clock ticked down towards tip-off, the atmosphere was electric, with both teams aware of the implications of this game. The Warriors were eager to finish the series and advance, while the Rockets were fighting for their playoff lives.
With Curry's historic achievement and the Warriors' impressive playoff run thus far, all eyes were on Houston to see if they could mount a comeback or if Golden State would seal the deal and continue their quest for another championship.
The stage was set for an unforgettable showdown, with the Warriors poised to make history and the Rockets determined to stave off elimination. Fans around the league were ready for a thrilling night of basketball.
