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A youthful squad traveling on the brink of elimination, facing off against a seasoned rival with extensive playoff experience… what could possibly go awry?
Surprisingly, not much for the Houston Rockets.
They displayed greater steadiness, intelligence, resilience, and simply outperformed their opponents. This was especially evident—and quite astonishing—during the final moments of Game 6 at Chase Center. It felt as if they had taken on the demeanor of the experienced Warriors, who faded away into the night without much resistance.
Thus, the result was Rockets 115, Warriors 107. More crucially, this sets the stage for a Game 7 on Sunday (8:30 ET, TNT) as this unexpectedly thrilling first-round series continues.
The Warriors entered with intentions of sealing the series, but the No. 2 seed Rockets had other plans. Fred VanVleet led the charge for three quarters, allowing the Warriors to implode in a lackluster fourth quarter.
This opens the door to numerous possibilities as they head to the Toyota Center in Houston on Sunday. The Rockets, filled with confidence after rallying from a 3-1 deficit and staving off elimination twice, hold the home court advantage. While the Warriors rely on the talents of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Playoff Jimmy Butler, they have shown signs of age and now face a cross-country flight to play within 48 hours.
Who will have the edge on Sunday?
And who will be planning their vacation next week?
Here are five notable insights as the best-of-seven series returns to Houston, with a spot in the Western Conference semifinals on the line:
In the last three games—two of which the Rockets claimed—Fred VanVleet, the undrafted standout, has been the top performer on the court. Just as you began to read this, he sank yet another three-pointer.
Throughout this recent stretch, he posted point totals of 24, 25, and 29 while hitting threes at an impressive rate of 18-for-27. Does that ring a bell?
He’s outshining even Steph himself, and this surge comes at a pivotal moment in the playoffs. This is precisely why the Rockets invested heavily in VanVleet a couple of summers back during free agency. They sought his veteran experience, championship background, and his composed demeanor in high-pressure situations. And he’s delivering.
The Warriors have struggled to contain him, and although VanVleet can be inconsistent, he’s currently in a rhythm. He previously outperformed Curry during the 2019 NBA Finals, and he’s doing so again. Golden State needs to devise a strategy to counter his impact.
In these high-stakes scenarios, one team has a noticeable advantage, specifically two players: Curry and Butler.
Curry’s statistics in such critical games speak volumes: 32.6 points, seven assists, and 6.5 rebounds. His last Game 7 was nothing short of spectacular, where he scored a staggering 50 points against the Kings in Sacramento, leaving that city with haunting memories.
Meanwhile, Butler averages 22 points and four rebounds over his four appearances in similar situations. But like Curry, the true story lies in his most recent performances. Butler dominated the Celtics in both games, averaging 31 points and eight rebounds, nearly eliminating them twice, only to miss a last-second jumper in one.
So, while the Warriors are known for their past failures—most infamously blowing a 3-1 lead in the 2016 NBA Finals—they do possess experienced players adept at handling these intense playoff scenarios. While postseason experience doesn’t guarantee victory—as evidenced on Friday—it does provide cause for concern for the Rockets.
Unfortunately, the Rockets’ leading scorer has been largely absent throughout this series, managing a mere 12 points in 32 minutes on Friday. Green, who exploded for 38 points in Game 2, has only accumulated 47 points combined across the other five games, three of which were in single digits.
His confidence seems to be dwindling, evident in his body language. At times, he defers, suggesting a player more inclined to avoid misses than to take risks. This mindset can be perilous for a scorer, but perhaps understandable for someone like Green, just 23, without a long playoff history.
Yet, it only takes one standout performance to alter perception. He has that chance on Sunday in the comforts of his home arena. The odds favor a turnaround from his slump. The first quarter will be crucial. If he starts strong, igniting the crowd’s support, it could propel him. Conversely, a cold start might lead to further struggles.
As the fourth quarter commenced, Houston led by a slim two points. Remarkably, with just under five minutes left, they had surged ahead by 17.
This widened margin was largely a result of the Warriors’ self-destruction. They faltered in rebounding, missed open shots, failed to protect the rim, and neglected perimeter defense. It was a total collapse, leaving the outcome beyond doubt.
How bad did it get? The Warriors missed 11 of their last 12 three-point attempts and had a streak of 13 consecutive missed shots, several of which were good looks. Curry managed just three points.
What’s perhaps most shocking is that this was the supposedly more experienced team. Such situations rarely unfold against younger opponents. But it did, and it proved troubling for the Warriors.
This also suggests that weariness might be setting in. Golden State had to navigate the play-in tournament, and it seems a younger, more dynamic team has leveraged its athleticism, speed, and hunger to gain the upper hand.
On the subject of advantages for the Rockets…
The Rockets have presented a continually changing set of challenges to the Warriors, winning three of the four quarters and forcing a Game 7 in Houston.
Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams proved pivotal against the Warriors. Alongside VanVleet, their contributions were key in pushing this series to a decisive Game 7. The Warriors had no answers for them.
Sengun has had mixed success against Draymond, who previously won a late-game faceoff against him. Yet, the Rockets’ young center presses on with poise, employing crafty moves in the post that keep Draymond, one of the modern era’s finest defenders, on his toes. In Game 6, Sengun tallied 21 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
Adams, the unsung hero, may not be a stat-driven player, but he made a significant impact during his season-high 31 minutes off the bench. His influence in the paint, defensive support, leadership, and knack for drawing fouls were all vital. The Rockets are a staggering plus-53 with Adams on the floor.
In Game 6, he contributed 17 points, five rebounds, and three blocks.
This poses a dilemma for the Warriors. Draymond has his limits. Quinten Post and Kevon Looney must elevate their play significantly against the Rockets’ big men.
Or it could be game over for the Warriors.
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Shaun Powell has devoted over 25 years to covering the NBA. You can contact him via email, explore his archive, and follow him on X.
The perspectives expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
