Rockets edge past Warriors with VanVleet and Thompson contributing, staving off elimination (score: 131-116)
HOUSTON - In a thrilling playoff performance, the Houston Rockets seized victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 on Wednesday, securing a 131-116 win and keeping their season alive with the series now tied 3-2.
Fred VanVleet led the charge with 26 points, while Alperen Sengun added 25. The Rockets capitalized on the opportunity to push their series against the defending champions to a crucial Game 6, scheduled for Friday in San Francisco.
"No one wants to go home," Sengun shared following the win.
Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors struggled to contain the relentless Rockets, primary calling a timeout and clearing his bench midway through the third quarter after a VanVleet layup increased Houston's lead to 93-64. Similarly, Houston's Ime Udoka swapped his starters for reserves with a minute left in the third quarter and again with about eight minutes remaining, as the Rockets held a commanding 105-76 lead.
Dillon Brooks contributed 24 points to the evening, as all five Houston starters scored in double figures. VanVleet aimed to boost his team's spirits by reminding them of their competitive edge, "Keep it light, fresh, and confident and understand we've played good basketball. It's not like we've been getting our butts kicked all the time."
A late scuffle between Pat Spencer and Dillon Brooks resulted in a brief disturbance, with Spencer getting ejected for a headbutt towards Alperen Sengun. However, Houston quickly regained control and solidified their win via a 7-2 run.
"Houston was great and attacked us immediately," said Kerr. "But as I said, it was a crucial finish."
Moses Moody, a Golden State reserve, topped all scorers with 25 points, and the Warriors bench delivered 76 points—the most in a playoff game for the franchise since 1970-71.
The Rockets facilitated their best postseason performance after two consecutive losses in California, including Game 3, where Jimmy Butler was out due to injury.
"We came out aggressive, executed offensively and defensively," said Jalen Green. "We had a professional approach and took care of business."
By prolonging the series, the Rockets now have a chance to join an elite group of teams in NBA history by coming back from a 3-1 deficit in a seven-game series. Previously, Houston managed such a feat twice before:
- In the 1995 NBA Playoffs, the Rockets overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Semifinals, ultimately securing the NBA championship that year.
- In the 2015 NBA Playoffs, the Rockets defied odds by coming back against the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference Semifinals, though they were ultimately defeated in the subsequent Conference Finals.
However, the Warriors themselves suffered a major comeback loss in the 2016 NBA Finals, surrendering their 3-1 lead to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Throughout this series, the Warriors have historically dominated the Rockets in the playoffs, eliminating them four times between 2015 and 2019.
The average points scored by Fred VanVleet and Alperen Sengun in the crucial Game 6 of the NBA playoffs is 51, contributing significantly to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets, with an impressive 105-76 lead, aim to join an elite group of teams in NBA history by coming back from a 3-1 deficit, following their victory over the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors.
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