The Golden State Warriors were back home, ready to host the Houston Rockets for a crucial Game 4 in their first-round playoff showdown.
Holding a 2-1 series lead, the Warriors were in a strong position after stealing a win on the road and defending their home floor at Chase Center on Saturday, April 26. Despite missing Jimmy Butler III in that game, Golden State still managed to grind out a 104-93 victory, pulling away from Houston in the final five minutes. Now, with Butler back in the mix, the Warriors were looking even more dangerous as they inched closer to the next round.
Stephen Curry powered their last win, exploding for 36 points to guide Golden State to the finish line. Meanwhile, the Rockets were banking on Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green to step up and deliver a response to keep their playoff hopes alive and tie the series.
Let’s see how the players performed on either side in this crucial Rockets vs. Warriors faceoff.
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Game 4 Box Score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockets | 26 | 31 | 23 | 26 | 106 |
| Warriors | 28 | 22 | 32 | 27 | 109 |
Rockets Players’ Stats
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alperen Şengün | 42 | 31 | 10 | 5 |
| Fred VanVleet | 40 | 25 | 2 | 6 |
| Amen Thompson | 31 | 17 | 9 | 2 |
| Dillon Brooks | 35 | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| Jalen Green | 24 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| Jabari Smith Jr. | 22 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| Steven Adams | 26 | 5 | 7 | 0 |
| Tari Eason | 16 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Warriors Players’ Stats
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Butler | 39 | 27 | 5 | 6 |
| Brandin Podziemski | 40 | 26 | 5 | 5 |
| Stephen Curry | 39 | 17 | 3 | 3 |
| Buddy Hield | 30 | 15 | 4 | 3 |
| Draymond Green | 30 | 6 | 8 | 2 |
| Quinten Post | 19 | 13 | 4 | 3 |
| Moses Moody | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Gary Payton II | 16 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Kevon Looney | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Gui Santos | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trayce Jackson-Davis | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rockets vs. Warriors: Game 4 Recap
The Warriors held a slim 28-26 lead over the Rockets after a scrappy first quarter. Houston actually shot better from the field (52.6%) and from deep (60%) compared to Golden State’s 36% overall and 28.6% from three.
But turnovers hurt the Rockets, coughing up the ball five times to just one by the Warriors. Curry and co. took full advantage, staying aggressive and making all six of their free throws to keep control.
The second quarter was a back-and-forth battle, but the Rockets managed to carve out a lead heading into halftime. They outscored the Warriors 31-22 in the period, taking advantage after a few key plays. Tari Eason’s clutch free throws and Green’s mid-range jumper helped Houston swing the momentum their way, even as Curry tried to keep Golden State close with a deep three. At the break, the Rockets were on top, holding a slight edge.
After stumbling in the second quarter, the Warriors responded with a strong third-period effort. They outscored the Rockets 32-23 to reclaim a two-point lead heading into the final frame.
Hield helped spark the Warriors’ surge with a deep three-pointer midway through the quarter, while Brandin Podziemski’s hustle on the offensive glass kept possessions alive. Curry missed a deep three but stayed aggressive, and Butler chipped in at the free-throw line before heading to the bench for a rest.
The Rockets kept things close behind Fred VanVleet’s timely three-pointer, but Golden State’s energy shift proved to be the difference late in the quarter.
The fourth quarter of Game 4 between the Warriors and Rockets turned into a nail-biting battle, with both teams trading blows in a desperate race to the finish line. Every possession felt critical as Podziemski, Butler, and Curry pushed to keep Golden State’s offense alive, while Şengün fought relentlessly to keep Houston in the fight.
With under a minute to go, the game was tied 104-104, setting up a tense finish. That’s when Butler stepped up. A shooting foul committed by Dillon Brooks sent Butler to the line, and he calmly knocked down all three free throws to give the Warriors a crucial 107-104 lead.
The Rockets weren’t done yet, but the Warriors’ composure in the final moments made the difference. In the closing seconds, Jabari Smith Jr. committed a personal foul, and Butler once again delivered under pressure, draining both free throws to seal a hard-earned 109-106 victory for Golden State.
The Warriors’ trio of Butler, Curry, and Podziemski rose to the occasion when it mattered most, surviving Houston’s fierce challenge and securing a 3-1 series lead in dramatic fashion.