The stakes couldn’t be higher as the Golden State Warriors get ready to host the Houston Rockets for Game 3 at Chase Center. With the series tied at one apiece, tensions were running high after a dramatic turn in Game 2. The Rockets, fueled by a breakout 38-point performance from Jalen Green, grabbed their first playoff win in years, beating the Warriors 109-94.
Adding more twists, star forward Jimmy Butler III went down with an injury and would miss Game 3. Jonathan Kuminga stepped into the starting lineup in his absence, looking to steady the Warriors’ ship. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry, averaging a fiery 25.5 points so far this series, remained the biggest hope for Golden State to reclaim momentum at home.
With injuries shaking up rotations and both teams hungry to tip the scales, Game 3 promised fireworks in San Francisco. Now, let’s dive into how the players performed in this crucial matchup.
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets Box Score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warriors | 18 | 28 | 23 | 35 | 104 |
| Rockets | 22 | 27 | 22 | 22 | 93 |
Golden State Warriors
| PLAYER | PTS | AST | REB | STL | BLK | FG | 3PT |
| Draymond Green | 7 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3-11 | 0-4 |
| Jonathan Kuminga | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3-7 | 0-0 |
| Quinten Post | 2 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1-7 | 0-3 |
| Stephen Curry | 36 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 12-23 | 5-13 |
| B. Podziemski | 10 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3-9 | 1-6 |
| Kevon Looney | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1-3 | 0-0 |
| Buddy H. | 17 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6-13 | 5-11 |
| G. Payton II | 16 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7-9 | 2-3 |
| Moses Moody | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3-8 | 1-5 |
Houston Rockets
| PLAYER | PTS | AST | REB | STL | BLK | FG | 3PT |
| Amen Thompson | 11 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5-16 | 0-0 |
| D. Brooks | 13 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4-8 | 3-4 |
| A. Sengun | 15 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 7-18 | 0-0 |
| F. VanVleet | 17 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5-14 | 3-9 |
| Ja. Green | 9 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 4-11 | 1-5 |
| J. Smith Jr. | 12 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4-8 | 3-5 |
| T. Eason | 8 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3-9 | 1-5 |
| Steven Adams | 8 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2-2 | 0-0 |
Warriors vs. Rockets: Game Recap
The first quarter saw the Rockets edge out the Warriors 22-18, with Houston holding a slight advantage in shooting efficiency (34.8%) compared to Golden State’s 33.3%. Despite Curry’s two points and two rebounds, the Warriors’ offense struggled, particularly beyond the arc, hitting just 15.4% from three. The Rockets, led by Jalen Green’s five points, capitalized on their perimeter shooting, draining 42.9% of their attempts.
The Warriors also faced a significant disadvantage on the boards, with the Rockets pulling down 16 total rebounds compared to just 10 for Golden State. However, the Warriors kept it close with better ball movement, recording four assists to the Rockets’ three. With both teams sharing four personal fouls, the Rockets held the early edge in both scoring and efficiency heading into the second quarter.
The second quarter was absolutely breathtaking as the Warriors mounted an electrifying comeback, refusing to let the Rockets hold onto their early momentum. The Rockets came out of the gates on fire, surging to a seven-point lead in the opening minutes. But the Warriors, led by the ever-vocal Curry, weren’t backing down.
By the 4:56 mark, the Rockets were in control, with Jabari Smith Jr. hitting a smooth jumper to extend the lead to 39-27. But Curry quickly answered the call, draining a 26-foot three-pointer at 5:09, cutting the lead to just five. Then, in the final minute and a half, Curry continued to showcase his brilliance, converting a free throw and hitting another jumper, while Quinten Post’s assist play to Buddy Hield for a 3-pointer gave the Warriors the spark they needed.
The Rockets’ offense, though still strong, couldn’t keep up as the Warriors’ response was swift and powerful. With Curry’s clutch shots and a few timely assists, Golden State closed in, making it clear that this game wasn’t over yet.
The third quarter saw both teams battling hard, with the Warriors slightly edging out the Rockets, 23-22. The game was full of scrappy plays and quick transitions, with both sides showing grit on defense while also hitting some key shots.
Tari Eason had a couple of big moments, blocking shots and helping keep the game tight. Despite the Rockets’ defense, the Warriors’ ball movement kept them in the game.
At the 1:02 mark, Buddy Hield hit a clutch 3-pointer, pulling the Warriors within two points, 69-71, as the teams exchanged blows. The game stayed close as both teams traded baskets. Green came up big for the Rockets with a layup and a few defensive rebounds, but the Warriors were right there with Curry knocking down a key jumper from 18 feet out.
By the end of the quarter, it was clear both teams were playing fast, trading leads back and forth, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Curry’s leadership and clutch shots—like his 3-pointer from 25 feet out, kept the Warriors in striking distance as the game moved into the final stretch.
The Warriors sealed the win with a dominant 35-22 fourth quarter performance, holding off the Rockets’ late push. Both teams were playing with intensity, making for a thrilling end to the game.
With just over 2 minutes left, Podziemski hit a clutch 16-footer, giving the Warriors an 8-point lead. But the Rockets responded quickly as Fred VanVleet nailed a three-pointer to close the gap.
Then, Curry stepped up with a huge 28-foot three-pointer, putting the Warriors ahead 100-91 and forcing the Rockets to call a timeout. Gary Payton II had his moment too, dunking the ball and adding another three-pointer shortly after, pushing the Warriors’ lead to double digits.
Despite Dillon Brooks hitting some free throws and keeping the Rockets within reach, the Warriors’ defense tightened up, and their timely scoring ensured they walked away with a 104-93 win. They are now 2-1 and leading the series.