Houston Rockets Keep Playoff Hopes Alive With Gritty Game 6 Win Over Warriors – Series Heads to Decisive Game 7
San Francisco, May 2024 –The Houston Rockets refused to go down without a fight. Facing elimination in Game 6, they delivered a statement performance at Chase Center, defeating the Golden State Warriors 115-107 to force a thrilling Game 7 back in Houston. The Warriors, who once led the series 3-1, now find themselves in a must-win situation after Houston’s dominant fourth-quarter execution.
VanVleet Steps Up When It Matters Most
Fred VanVleet, the Rockets’ veteran leader, played like a man possessed. He finished with a near triple-double—29 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds—while shooting efficiently from the field (7-of-13) and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free-throw line. His clutch four-point play early in the fourth quarter ignited Houston’s momentum, and his leadership kept the young Rockets composed under pressure.
“We knew we had to make everything difficult for them,” VanVleet said postgame. “Contest every shot, crash the boards, and let our athleticism take over late. That’s how you beat a team like Golden State.”
Warriors Go Ice Cold in Crunch Time
Golden State’s usually reliable offense disappeared when it mattered most. After Draymond Green’s basket with 10:12 remaining, the Warriors missed 13 consecutive shots—a nearly seven-minute scoring drought—before Steph Curry finally broke the slump with a three-pointer at the 3:35 mark. By then, Houston had already built a double-digit lead.
Curry finished with 29 points but struggled with his efficiency (9-of-23 FG, 6-of-16 from three). The Rockets’ defensive adjustments, including switching to a bigger lineup with Alperen Şengün and Steven Adams, disrupted Golden State’s rhythm.
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Şengün and Adams Dominate the Paint
Alperen Şengün (21 points, 14 rebounds) and Steven Adams (17 points off the bench) provided the interior presence Houston desperately needed. Adams, in particular, brought relentless energy—grabbing offensive boards, setting bruising screens, and finishing strong at the rim. His physicality reminded fans of old-school NBA battles, where big men dictated the game’s tempo.
“Steven changed the game with his toughness,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “When you outwork a team like Golden State on the glass, you give yourself a real chance.”
Warriors’ Late Push Falls Short
Curry tried to rally the Warriors late, cutting Houston’s lead to 86-84 with a driving layup and two free throws in the third quarter. But every time Golden State threatened, Houston had an answer—whether it was VanVleet’s timely shooting, Jalen Green’s hustle plays, or Adams’ relentless rebounding.
Jimmy Butler (27 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists) fought hard to keep Golden State in it, but the Warriors’ supporting cast struggled. Klay Thompson had an off night (4-of-12 shooting), and their bench was outscored 42-28.
What’s Next? A Winner-Takes-All Game 7 in Houston
The series now shifts back to Toyota Center for a dramatic Game 7 on Sunday. The winner will advance to face the well-rested Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals.
Key Factors for Game 7:
Warriors’ Experience vs. Rockets’ Youth – Golden State has been here before (6-2 in Game 7s in the Curry era), but Houston’s athleticism could be the difference.
Three-Point Shooting – If Curry and Thompson get hot, the Warriors are tough to beat. But if Houston defends the perimeter like they did in Game 6, they’ll have the edge.
Bench Production – Adams and Houston’s second unit outplayed Golden State’s reserves. If that happens again, the Rockets could pull off the upset.
This series has been a rollercoaster—just when it seemed Golden State would close it out, Houston fought back with relentless energy. Now, it all comes down to one game. Will the Warriors’ championship pedigree prevail, or will the Rockets’ young core announce themselves as the NBA’s next rising force?
Sunday’s Game 7 tips off at 8:00 PM ET. Expect fireworks.
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