HOUSTON (AP) — The Golden State Warriors faced a crushing 131-116 defeat on Wednesday night, April 30, 2025, against the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series. The loss was compounded by an intense moment that saw Warriors guard Pat Spencer ejected after headbutting Rockets center Alperen Sengun during a heated altercation late in the game.
The game was a rollercoaster for the Warriors, who had entered with a 3-1 series lead but found themselves trailing by as much as 31 points at one stage. With about six minutes left in the third quarter, Golden State coach Steve Kerr decided to clear his bench, a move echoed shortly after by Rockets coach Ime Udoka. The Warriors' reserves, including Spencer, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Moses Moody, Kevin Knox, and Braxton Key, managed to cut the lead down to 17 points with eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, forcing the Rockets to reinsert their starters.
As the tension mounted in the final minutes, a routine battle for a rebound turned into chaos. Spencer, in a bid to secure a loose ball, shoved Houston's Dillon Brooks to the floor. This action drew the ire of Sengun, who confronted Spencer. Instead of diffusing the situation, Spencer delivered a shocking headbutt to Sengun, igniting a physical confrontation on the court. Jackson-Davis quickly intervened, shoving Sengun in response, which led to both players receiving technical fouls.
Officials reviewed the incident and ultimately decided to eject Spencer for his actions. The moment was a stark representation of the Warriors' frustration as they struggled to maintain their composure in a game slipping through their fingers. "He’s talking too much," Brooks commented succinctly on the altercation as the players were separated.
Despite the ejection, Spencer's actions seemed to resonate with his teammates. Draymond Green, no stranger to ejections himself, was spotted grinning after watching the incident unfold on the big screen. Following Spencer's ejection, Green, along with other teammates, offered their support as Spencer exited the court, high-fiving him as he walked off.
Spencer's ejection came after a solid performance where he scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting. His contributions, alongside the rest of the bench, were pivotal in narrowing the deficit, showcasing the potential of the Warriors' second unit, which scored a franchise-record 76 points during the game.
While the Rockets maintained control and ultimately sealed the game, the Warriors' late-game surge provided a glimmer of hope for the upcoming Game 6, set for Friday, May 2, 2025, in San Francisco. The ejection, however, raised questions about Spencer's judgment and whether he might face further disciplinary action.
As the series continues, the Warriors will look to regroup and harness the energy from their bench's spirited performance, despite the setback in Game 5. The rivalry between the Warriors and Rockets has intensified, with both teams now combining for 15 technical fouls over the course of the series, a clear indicator of the heightened emotions on the court.
With the series now at 3-2 in favor of Golden State, the stakes have never been higher as both teams prepare for what promises to be an electrifying Game 6. The Warriors will need to channel the intensity displayed by their reserves while ensuring they keep their composure against a determined Rockets squad.
