NBA Playoffs: Rockets Beat Warriors 131-116 to Stay Alive

The Houston Rockets dominated the Golden State Warriors 131-116, keeping their playoff hopes alive in the Western Conference series.

Rockets' Dominant Performance

The Houston Rockets dominated the Golden State Warriors 131-116, keeping their playoff hopes alive in the Western Conference series. The Rockets now trail 3-2, having fended off elimination.

Key Player Performances

Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 26 points, while Amen Thompson contributed 25 points, and Dillon Brooks added 24 points. The Rockets' strong performance saw them lead by as many as 31 points, and they were up by 29 when Warriors coach Steve Kerr pulled his starters, including Stephen Curry, with 5:50 left in the third quarter.

For context, in their previous games:

•  Jalen Green scored 38 points in Game 2, helping the Rockets win 109-94.
•  Jimmy Butler scored 27 points in Game 4, including 23 in the second half, to help the Warriors take a 3-1 series lead.
•  Alperen Sengun had 31 points in Game 4 but couldn't prevent the Warriors from winning 109-106.

The Rockets' season on the line after a tough Game 4 loss, they started strong, shooting 64.7% in the first quarter to take a 40-24 lead. Fred VanVleet hit three of Houston's six three-pointers, and the Rockets made all 13 free throws in the opening period.

The Warriors struggled to respond, with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler scoreless in the first quarter. Curry missed two shots, and Butler missed three.

The Warriors struggled in the first quarter, failing to draw free throws and committing five turnovers. Stephen Curry finally scored his first basket midway through the second quarter with a three-pointer, going on to make three threes in the period.

Not done yet ✅ pic.twitter.com/ZUMo2bvZF2

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) May 1, 2025

Despite Curry's efforts, the Warriors found it tough to breach Houston's defense, trailing 76-49 at halftime.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr defended his decision to pull his starters in a potential clinching game, giving rest to players like 37-year-old Stephen Curry, who is playing through a thumb injury, as well as Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, who had previously missed a game due to a pelvic injury.

“We can't come out with that lack of defensive focus and energy and expect to beat a great team on their home floor,” Kerr said. “They took it to us - they were awesome tonight.” The Warriors now look to close out the series when they host Game 6 is mentioned in search results as game 5, on Friday.

Stephen Curry scored 13 points and Jimmy Butler added 8 for the Warriors. Moses Moody led the Warriors' bench with 25 points and sparked a late comeback that narrowed the deficit to 13 points with five minutes remaining.

However, the momentum shifted when Warriors reserve Pat Spencer was ejected for head-butting Alperen Sengun, allowing the Rockets to pull away and secure the win. The series winner will face the Minnesota Timberwolves, who advanced with a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.