Stephen Curry rose to the occasion once again, guiding the Golden State Warriors to a 103-89 victory over the Houston Rockets in a decisive Game 7 clash of their Western Conference first-round playoff series.
With the series tied at 3-3, and the final game taking place in a hostile Houston environment, the seasoned Warriors delivered a clutch performance that reminded fans why they remain perennial playoff contenders. Curry, who scored 14 of his 22 points in a dominant fourth-quarter display, was quick to highlight the collective effort that sealed the win.
“A lot of resilience and everybody stepping up,” said Curry. “Everybody’s been talking about our team the last two games in terms of our execution, our energy, all that. We blocked it all out and just understood we had 48 minutes to dig deep. Everybody contributed. Buddy Hield was unbelievable.”
Indeed, Buddy Hield was electric, leading all scorers with 33 points, including a remarkable nine three-pointers. His sharp shooting stretched the Rockets’ defense all night and created the kind of spacing Curry thrives in. It was Hield’s best performance since joining the Warriors and a timely one at that.
Also stepping up in a big way was Jimmy Butler, who added 20 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Butler, acquired in a midseason trade from the Miami Heat, has been pivotal in helping the Warriors balance experience and tenacity. His all-around play and leadership under pressure gave Golden State a steady presence throughout the game.
“For us to build chemistry on the fly and build trust on the fly and perform like we did in a Game 7, it means the world,” Curry added. “So, mission accomplished – step one.”
Golden State now advances to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semi-finals. The Timberwolves, who have had a breakout season, present a different kind of challenge, but the Warriors are gaining momentum at just the right time.
The win over Houston was particularly sweet considering the Rockets had clawed their way back into the series after trailing 3-1. Had they completed the comeback, Houston would have become just the 14th team in NBA history to overturn a 3-1 deficit in the playoffs.
The Rockets, second in the Western Conference regular season standings compared to the Warriors’ seventh-place finish, entered Game 7 with confidence. But they faltered under pressure, particularly in the second half, where Golden State’s defense tightened and their stars began to shine. Houston’s young core struggled to match the composure and execution of the playoff-hardened Warriors.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers made an early statement with a 121-112 road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of their semi-final series.
Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 23 points, while Tyrese Haliburton contributed 22 in a well-rounded offensive display. The Cavaliers, who swept the Miami Heat 4-0 in the first round and finished the regular season atop the Eastern Conference, suffered their first defeat of the playoffs.
“We’re definitely the heavy underdog, but we’re trying to control what we can,” said Haliburton after the win. “It gives us a lot of momentum for sure, but this is the best team in our conference. They don’t lose much.”
Indiana’s victory is a reminder of how unpredictable playoff basketball can be. While the Cavaliers are favored, the Pacers’ up-tempo offense and aggressive backcourt may prove troublesome if Cleveland can’t make quick adjustments.
As the playoffs intensify, both the Warriors and Pacers showed the kind of grit and execution needed to survive and advance. With their Game 7 triumph, Golden State proved once again that experience matters in the postseason. And as Curry put it, the mission is far from over.
