The Golden State Warriors survived an intense back-and-forth battle against the Houston Rockets, pulling off a thrilling 109-106 win to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the NBA Western Conference First Round showdown on April 29.
Golden State Warriors Top Performers:
Brandin Podziemski 26 PTS | 5 REB | 5 AST | 46.5 FPS
Podz had been quiet in the previous two games of the series, but he came out firing today, dropping 10 points in the first quarter alone and finishing with his third 25+ point performance this month and his best playoff performance. His hot three-point shooting made all the difference, knocking down six threes after totaling just four across the first three games. He also added more with contributions across the board and should remain a key contributor in Game 5 with this momentum.
Jimmy Butler 27 PTS | 5 REB | 6 AST | 45.0 FPS
Robin missed their last game with a pelvic contusion sustained after a hard fall in Game 2 but showed no signs of rust, finishing with at least 24 points and strong contributions across secondary categories in each of their last six completed games. He was exceptional in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 points—including a clutch 5-for-5 from the free-throw line—to help seal the win. Butler has been one of the best players of the postseason and should continue to dominate in Game 5.
Buddy Hield 15 PTS | 4 REB | 2 STL | 30.3 FPS
Hield saw an increased role in his last two games and made the most of it, providing a solid offensive spark by scoring at least 15 points and maintaining consistent defensive production through steals. Since the team likes to play smaller and faster lineups, his role should stay significant, likely leading to another impactful performance in Game 5.
Stephen Curry 17 PTS | 3 REB | 3 AST | 24.1 FPS
Batman powered the Warriors with a 36-point eruption in their Game 3 win, but he wasn’t as effective today, finishing with his worst performance of the series. Despite some inconsistency, he’s remained a reliable offensive threat—alternating between 30-point and 20-point outings across four games. If the pattern holds, expect another explosive performance in Game 5.
Quinten Post 13 PTS | 4 REB | 3 AST | 21.3 FPS
Post has made a noticeable impact over the last three games of the series, scoring in double-digit points twice and delivering solid rebounding and defensive value in another. With the team limited at the center spot, he should continue to be a key factor going forward.
Houston Rockets Top Performers:
Alperen Sengun 31 PTS | 10 REB | 5 AST | 56.5 FPS
Sengun got off to a slow start, struggling against Green’s defense and shooting just 1-for-7 from the field. But once Green ran into foul trouble, Sengun found his rhythm. He even took over in the third quarter, helping his team erase a 10-point deficit and tie the game. Throughout the series, he’s been their most reliable performer, becoming a consistent double-double threat and scoring 26 or more points twice. If they hope to win the series, they’ll need another big performance from him starting in Game 5.
Fred Vanvleet 25 PTS | 2 REB | 6 AST | 34.4 FPS
Fred struggled in the first two games of the series but has started to trend upward lately. He came out strong today, scoring 12 points on four three-pointers in the first half alone, and finished with eight threes and the best scoring performance of his playoff career. With the team lacking reliable options in scoring, he should continue to play a significant role in the offense moving forward.
Amen Thompson 17 PTS | 9 REB | 1 STL | 32.8 FPS
Thompson struggled with foul trouble in the first half but came out more aggressive in the second, finishing with his best game of the series. Despite that, he has yet to meet expectations, with subpar scoring in the earlier games and limited defensive contributions. However, this performance could give him the momentum he needs to deliver strongly in a pivotal Game 5.
Steven Adams 5 PTS | 7 REB | 4 BLK | 23.4 FPS
Adams had been a solid option in this series and kept it going today, providing a big impact in the paint on both ends and finishing with the team’s best plus-minus. He should remain an impactful option moving forward, though his free-throw shooting remains a weakness.
Dillon Brooks 11 PTS | 6 REB | 1 STL | 21.2 FPS
Brooks has been a reliable contributor in this matchup, especially on offense, with four double-digit scoring games. But if the team hopes to win—or even extend the series—they’ll need more from him on both ends.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Jalen Green 8 PTS | 3 REB | 5 TO
Green has had a tough time against the Warriors this season, scoring 14 or fewer points in seven of nine matchups. His offensive inconsistency and lack of impact elsewhere have also made him a liability. However, with the team facing elimination, a bounce-back performance in Game 5 remains possible.
