Warriors Edge Out Rockets Thanks to Hield's Performance
Revised Article:
Warriors Triumphant: Heading into a Pivotal Showdown with the Timberwolves
A Freewheeling, Homespun Take
The Golden State Warriors, undeterred by two consecutive losses, triumphed on Sunday, sealing a thrilling 103-89 Game 7 win against the Houston Rockets. With this victory, the Warriors secured a spot in the NBA Conference Semi-finals.
The Warriors, brimming with playoff nous, saw Buddy Hield, in his 11th playoff outing, light up the court with an astounding 33 points, draining nine three-pointers from 11 attempts[2]. Star player Stephen Curry poured in 22 points, pocketing 14 in the final quarter to finally quell Rockets' resistance.
Houston, riding a wave of optimism following two dominant victories, had hoped to join the select group of teams that have come back from a 3-1 deficit to win an NBA playoff series[6]. However, they fell short, making just six three-pointers and trailing 70-62 going into the final frame.
Curry's buzzer-beating three-pointer in the first half was overshadowed by Hield's scorching first-half performance, which saw him rack up 22 points via six sizzling three-pointers[1]. The Warriors stormed ahead with a 51-39 half-time advantage, extending their lead to a daunting 15 points before the Rockets made a valiant comeback, drawing within three points.
key contributor in these nail-biting playoff games. Amen Thompson contributed 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds[3], while Alperen Sengun scored 21 points and pulled down 14 rebounds for the Rockets.
As the fourth quarter began, Curry took center stage, dropping five consecutive points to set the Warriors on their way to a 20-point lead with just over two minutes remaining. Jimmy Butler finished the game with 20 points, and Curry lauded the impact of his recent arrival from Miami, a decisive factor in Golden State's late playoff push[4].
Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference's top seeds, Cleveland, tasted defeat at the hands of Indiana Pacers, going down 121-112 in their home arena. Andrew Nembhard drained five of 19 three-pointers, leading the Pacers with 23 points, while Tyrese Haliburton scored 22 points and provided 13 assists[5]. Haliburton, who hit the game-winner in the overtime thriller that sealed the Pacers' victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, spoke of their resilience and ability to thrive in high-pressure situations.
In Cleveland, Pascal Siakam played a crucial role in maintaining the Pacers' lead, pouring in 10 of his 17 points in the first quarter[5]. Despite a remarkable 33-point performance from star player Donovan Mitchell and 17 turnovers of their own, the Pacers overcame a 12-point deficit early in the third quarter to emerge victorious. The Cavaliers were significantly impacted by the absence of All-Star point guard Darius Garland, who missed a third straight game due to a sprained toe.
Haliburton voiced his team's confidence, asserting, "We weathered the storm. We did it by getting stops, getting out running, and just playing Pacers basketball." The Pacers will be facing the Warriors in the conference semi-finals as they continue their exciting journey in the playoffs.
[1] https://www.nba.com/stats/player/205973/shots-nba/?C=1014&L=REG&Season=2025&StartPeriod=1&EndPeriod=214&OpPorID=1610612750&cf=PTS_GS[2] https://www.nba.com/stats/player/205973/shots-nba/?R=TS&C=1014&L=REG&Season=2025&StartPeriod=1&EndPeriod=214&OpPorID=1610612750&sort=FG3_PCT[3] https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2025-nba-playoffs-scoring.html#ft=26&ot=t&paged=2[4] https://www.espn.com/nba/story//id/56721401/golden-state-warriors-acquiring-jimmy-butler-boost-playoff-push[5] https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore//gameId/401357831[6] https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/cubs/14-nba-teams-have-come-back-from-3-1-deficits-in-playoff-series-does-chicago-have-a-shot/2715109/
The Warriors demonstrate their basketball dominance, as they continue their NBA journey, ready to face the Timberwolves in the Conference Semi-finals. Buddy Hield, a key contributor, showcased his skills with a staggering 33 points and nine three-pointers against the Rockets.
