Game 5 was make-or-break for the Houston Rockets. Hosting the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center, the Rockets were staring down elimination, trailing 3-1 in the Western Conference First Round. It’s been five years since Houston last made the playoffs, and this series has been a rollercoaster—full of energy but short on clutch.
Fred VanVleet had the shot to tie it in Game 4, but his three-pointer at the buzzer missed. Coming into Game 5, VanVleet was averaging 14.8 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in the 2025 playoffs. With the season on the line, the pressure was on the Rockets’ star to deliver when it mattered most.
Fred VanVleet vs. Warriors: How Much Did Did He Score in Game 5?
| Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 61.5 | 66.7 |
How Did VanVleet Perform During Game 5 of the Playoffs?
In a must-win Game 5, VanVleet came out like a man on a mission, silencing any doubts and setting the tone early in Houston’s emphatic 131-116 victory over the Warriors.
The Rockets’ star came out strong. While all five Warriors starters together scored just 8 points in the first quarter, VanVleet put up 14 on his own.
By halftime, he had racked up 19 points on a near-flawless 6-of-7 shooting, including 4-of-5 from deep. He was in complete control, using his veteran poise to carve up the Warriors’ defense while keeping the offense humming.
Though he cooled slightly in the second half, VanVleet still finished the night with 26 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc and a perfect 6-for-6 from the line. While his assist total was low (just 2), he more than made up for it by being the scoring spark Houston desperately needed.
It wasn’t flashy. It was just tough, efficient, big-time basketball. And on a night when Houston had to win to stay alive, VanVleet proved he’s still built for the moment.
VanVleet vs. Warriors – Head-to-Head Career Stats
VanVleet has had quite a journey squaring off against the Warriors—a team synonymous with dominance in the modern NBA. Whether suiting up for the Toronto Raptors or the Rockets, VanVleet has experienced the full spectrum of highs and lows in this matchup. His performances reflect a player who’s never backed down, even when his shot has.
Fred VanVleet has averaged 12.2 points, six assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 17 games against the Warriors in his career.
Here’s a look at how he’s fared over the years:
- Dec. 18, 2021: 27 points, 7 rebounds, 12 assists
- Dec. 18, 2022: 22 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists
- Jan. 27, 2023: 28 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists
- Oct. 29, 2023: 8 points, 0 rebounds, 4 assists
- Nov. 20, 2023: 10 points, 5 rebounds, 14 assists
- April 4, 2024: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists
- Nov. 2, 2024: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists
- Dec. 5, 2024: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
- Dec. 11, 2024: 8 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists
- April 6, 2025: 3 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists
When he was with Toronto, VanVleet lit up the Warriors for back-to-back 20+ point games, including a 28-point outing in January 2023. He looked like a fearless floor general, dishing double-digit assists and hitting tough shots. But since joining Houston, it’s been more of a mixed bag.
In Rockets colors, his efficiency dipped, and his scoring often hit single digits. Still, the playmaking has remained steady—he’s logged nine or more assists multiple times, showing he can still impact the game even when his shot isn’t falling.
