- Golden State Warriors edged Houston Rockets 109-106 to take a 3-1 lead in the series
- Jimmy Butler returned for the Warriors with 27 points, shooting 12-of-12 from the free-throw line
- Alperen Sengun scored 31 points for Houston but missed a crucial late shot
Key Takeaways:
Golden State Warriors are on the verge of reaching the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Steve Kerr’s team edged the Houston Rockets 109-106 in Game 4 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series. At Chase Center, everything was decided at the end, when the Warriors found a way to complete the comeback and managed to hold on to their narrow lead, disappointing Ime Udoka’s players for the second game in a row. The match also marked the return of Jimmy Butler for the California team, after missing Game 3 due to injury.
🏆 MONDAY'S FINAL SCORES 🏆
Jimmy Butler III and the @warriors win a thriller, capped off by Draymond Green's final stop!
Brandin Podziemski: 26 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 6 3PM, 2 STL
Alperen Sengun: 31 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL https://t.co/RLzKQImg8b pic.twitter.com/Motk23yZRx— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2025
It proved enough for the Warriors to protect their home-court advantage and take a 3-1 lead against the Rockets, needing just one more win to punch their ticket to the next phase. The series now shifts back to Houston, with Game 5 scheduled for Wednesday.
The hosts controlled the early stages of the game, largely through the efforts of Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski. The visitors relied on Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. to respond, and they managed to do so, but by the end of the first quarter, the Warriors still held a slim two-point lead.
The second period brought tighter competition, with frequent changes in the lead, driven by accurate shooting from Dillon Brooks and Quinten Post. Alperen Sengun then stepped up for the Rockets, helping them seize the advantage and take a 57-50 lead into halftime.
The final quarter began with the Warriors holding a two-point advantage. Thompson and Sengun pushed Houston back into the lead. However, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, and Podziemski stepped up for Golden State, helping them regain control and edge ahead by one point in the final 41 seconds. In the last six seconds, Sengun had a chance to put the Rockets in front but missed, and Butler sealed the victory from the free-throw line to spark celebrations among the home fans.
Jimmy Butler capped off his return with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, shooting a perfect 12-of-12 from the free-throw line. Brandin Podziemski recorded 26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 three-pointers. Stephen Curry added 17 points, Buddy Hield scored 15, and Quinten Post had 13.
For Houston, Alperen Sengun posted 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Fred VanVleet finished with 25 points, 6 assists, and 8 three-pointers. Amen Thompson had 17 points and 9 rebounds, while Dillon Brooks contributed 11 points and 6 rebounds.