ByJustin Estuart
Monday, May 5, 2025 3:07AM
Watch Eyewitness News and ABC13 originals around the clock
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Rockets’ postseason ends with a 103-89 loss to the Golden State Warriors in a do-or-die Game Seven on Sunday at home.
To start the game, both teams played in a fast-paced first quarter. For the Rockets, the team only had two 3-point attempts in the quarter. For the foes from the Bay, it was the supporting cast that showed up in the first quarter. Warriors forward Draymond Green found a rhythm offensively early on with eight points, 3-5 in field-goal attempts made early in the quarter. Warriors guard Buddy Hield had 13 points and showed off his range and launched a deep three-pointer to end the first quarter in a buzzer beater to boost Golden State’s lead. However, Warriors superstar Stephen Curry was scoreless and went 0-4 in field-goal attempts in the first quarter. After one quarter, the Rockets trailed the Warriors 23-19.
In the second quarter, Houston’s offense struggled, while the Warriors dominated. Rockets wing Amen Thompson led in scoring with 12 points, while All-Star Alperen Sengun shot 4-10 in field-goal attempts made, but posted eight points and grabbed eight boards. Concerning Golden State, Hield was their go-to marksman with 22 points in 8-9 field goal attempts, which included six three-pointers made. D. Green had double figures in the first half with 10 points. Meanwhile, Curry made his first triple late in the second quarter and shot 1-7 in field-goal attempts in the first half.
By halftime, Houston was down 51-39 to Golden State.
In the third quarter, the Rockets rallied and went on a 12-4 run with five minutes remaining. Yet Houston couldn’t keep up with Golden State’s offense through the duration of the second half. Overall, it was Golden State’s grit and playoff experience that eclipsed Houston throughout the game. Rockets’ Thompson finished with 22 points, and Sengun added 21 for the game. As for the Warriors superstar duo in Curry and Jimmy Butler, the pair combined for 40 points and showed up in the fourth quarter after a horrific start in the first half. The Warriors’ leading scorer was Hield with 33 points, and he went 9-11 from beyond the arc for the game. The Warriors now move on to face Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in a quick turnaround for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Tuesday.
Despite the Rockets getting eliminated in the playoffs, it was a remarkable 2024-25 season for the Rockets altogether after being rock-bottom in the Western Conference standings for the past couple of seasons in the post-James Harden era. From Houston’s rise as a No. 2 seed in the West’s standings to a first-time NBA All-Star selection in a young star in Sengun to a playoff team competing with the powerhouses in the postseason, the Rockets should hang their head up high.
Nonetheless, the Rockets’ front office will surely look to improve its roster this offseason. With the 2025 NBA Draft on the horizon and the potential of big-name player movement via trade or free agency, Houston has the assets to make a big splash. Whether or not Houston will pull the trigger on a trade this offseason, only time will tell.
Copyright © 2025 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.
