SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry ultimately discovered his taking pictures groove whereas Houston tried all the things to cease him, ending with 36 factors, 9 assists and 7 rebounds to guide the Golden State Warriors previous the Rockets 104-93 on Saturday evening with out Jimmy Butler for a 2-1 lead of their first-round playoff collection.
Playoff Steph delivered whereas Playoff Jimmy turned his largest cheerleader on the bench — in a full-length fur coat.
Buddy Hield had 17 factors off the bench with 5 3-pointers because the Warriors gained their sixth straight Recreation 3 within the opening spherical.
Gary Payton II scored 11 of his 16 factors within the fourth quarter.
Recreation 3 win over the Rockets on April 26, 2025. NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
Recreation 4 within the best-of-seven collection is Monday evening at Chase Heart. The largest query will probably be whether or not Butler can heal in time to contribute.
The Warriors missed their do-everything ahead after he suffered a pelvic harm and deep gluteal muscle contusion in a tough fall throughout Recreation 2.
Fred VanVleet hit consecutive 3-pointers and had a three-point play to attain Houston’s preliminary 9 factors and wound up with 17. Alperen Sengun added 15 factors and 11 rebounds.
win over the Rockets. NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
Curry has 4,053 profession playoff factors and handed Tony Parker (4,045) for tenth most in NBA historical past.
The 37-year-old star missed his three 3-point tries within the opening interval as Golden State went 2 for 13 from lengthy vary, lastly connecting from deep 5:16 earlier than halftime. His 13-point second quarter helped pull Golden State inside 49-46 on the break after trailing by 13.
Dillon Brooks fouled out with 3:47 left a day after he defended Amen Thompson’s foul on Butler that led to the harm and known as Draymond Inexperienced a “dirty” participant.
Thompson, Brooks and all of the Rockets had been booed throughout pregame introductions.
Then Brooks fouled Curry 11 seconds into the sport. He picked up his second foul on the 5:24 mark of the primary quarter, delighting the gang. The followers had been equally thrilled when Sengun drove to the basket and badly missed when attempting for a one-handed slam late within the first. Brooks had 4 fouls by halftime.
The Warriors had misplaced three straight at dwelling over the ultimate week of the common season, beating Memphis in a play-in recreation that doesn’t depend in that document.
