After leading by four points late, the Houston Rockets were outscored by seven points in the final four minutes of Monday's crushing 109-106 Game 4 loss at Golden State (box score). A controversial three-shot foul by Dillon Brooks against Warriors star Jimmy Butler in a tie game with under a minute left proved decisive.
With the loss, Golden State leads the best-of-seven series by a commanding 3-1 margin. They will attempt to close out the first-round clash in Wednesday's Game 5 at Houston.
Statistics of note included:
- Alperen Sengun: 31 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals; 12-of-28 shooting (42.9%), 7-of-10 on free throws (70.0%)
- Fred VanVleet: 25 points, 6 assists; 8-of-12 on 3-pointers (66.7%)
- Amen Thompson: 17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists; 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%)
- Jalen Green: 8 points, 5 turnovers; 3-of-8 shooting (37.5%), 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20.0%)
- Steven Adams: 5 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks; 2-of-4 shooting (50.0%)
- Jimmy Butler: 27 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds; 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%), 12-of-12 on free throws
- Brandon Podziemski: 26 points, 5 assists; 9-of-18 shooting (50.0%), 6-of-11 on 3-pointers (54.5%)
- Steph Curry: 17 points, 3 assists, 4 turnovers; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%)
Butler returned after missing Game 3 and most of Game 2 with a left pelvic contusion, and his three free throws in a tie game with under a minute left were the difference.
Despite beating Golden State in overall shooting, 3-point shooting, and rebounds, the Rockets made just 19-of-31 free throws (61.3%) compared to 20-of-22 for the Warriors (90.9%). That gap proved decisive.
In the Rockets three losses this series, here are the free percentages for each game:
Game 1: 55%
Game 3: 58%
Game 4: 61%
Absolutely inexcusable.
Game 4 Highlights
Postgame Interviews
Easy fix is to put Jabari Smith in the starting lineup, but I think they might consider starting the double bigs as well https://t.co/ee2zwpwaBS
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) April 29, 2025“Go get a win,” said Rockets head coach Ime Udoka about the message he gave his young team about getting a victory down 3-1 heading into Game 5. #Rockets#Sarge@TheRocketsWirepic.twitter.com/vHz269cmsO
— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) April 29, 2025Rockets-Warriors in 2025 NBA Playoffs
- Game 1: Warriors 95, Rockets 85 (Golden State leads, 1-0)
- Game 2: Rockets 109, Warriors 94 (Series tied, 1-1)
- Game 3: Warriors 104, Rockets 93 (Golden State leads, 2-1)
- Game 4: Warriors 109, Rockets 106 (Golden State leads, 3-1)
- Game 5: at Houston (Wednesday, April 30, 6:30 p.m. on TNT)
- Game 6, if necessary: at Golden State (Friday, May 2, TBD)
- Game 7, if necessary: at Houston (Sunday, May 4, TBD)
All games not televised on ABC will also be televised via a regional Space City Home Network broadcast featuring Houston’s own broadcast team.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Game 4: Jimmy Butler returns from injury to lead Warriors past Rockets
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