Rockets and Warriors Prepare for a Deciding Game 7 Showdown
Injury updates for Game 7 between Warriors and Rockets list four players as potential concerns
The Houston Rockets are gearing up to take on the Golden State Warriors in a nail-biting Game 7, scheduled for Sunday night. Both teams have a short injury list to worry about.
For the visiting Warriors, Stephen Curry, who's been battling with a nagging right thumb injury, is declared available. The Rockets have consistently targeted Curry's thumb, and they're expected to persist with this strategy in this game-win-or-go-home battle. Gary Payton II, another Warrior, is also on the mend with a thumb injury. Jimmy Butler, who missed Game 3 due to a pelvic contusion, seems to be fit and ready to go.
On the Rockets' side, Jock Landale and Jae'Sean Tate will be absent for the game. Landale is dealing with a right knee contusion and has seen limited action in the series so far. Tate has been out with an ankle injury since April 9, following a 17-minute game against the Los Angeles Clippers. It's uncertain whether these injuries will impact the Rockets' rotation significantly.
Can the Rockets Eliminate the Warriors?
NBA legends Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley have made their predictions for the Nuggets-Thunder series. Carmelo Anthony has landed a new gig post his NBA Hall of Fame induction, and top prospects Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper have secured invites to the 2025 Draft Combine[6][7][8].
Houston's elite defense, the resurrection of Steven Adams, and a sizzling Fred VanVleet have been the key factors that turned the tide in favor of the Rockets in the last two games[1]. The Warriors seem to have no answers to Adams' colossal presence and VanVleet's shooting revival. Golden State's bench players have faltered in key moments, and Steve Kerr is left seeking solutions[1].
The question on everybody's lips is whether Jonathan Kuminga will finally get his shot in Game 7, after being mostly sidelined in this series[2]. Given Houston's size, strength, and athleticism, it's worth giving Kuminga a chance, hoping he might swing the balance in their favor[1].
The game kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET in Houston.
[1] Source: The Athletic[2] Source: ESPN[3] Source: NBC Sports Bay Area[4] Source: The Mercury News[5] Source: Basketball Reference[6] Source: Basketball Insiders[7] Source: CBS Sports[8] Source: Forbes
The Rockets, fueled by their elite defense and Stevens Adams' resurgence, are aiming to exploit Golden State's struggles with bench players in Game 7 (The Athletic). With the Warriors' star player Stephen Curry available and Jimmy Butler ready to return, the odds are interesting for this deciding showdown (The Athletic). Speculations about whether Jonathan Kuminga will get his opportunity in Game 7, potentially tipping the scales in Golden State's favor, continue to swirl (ESPN).
