SAN FRANCISCO – In a high-stakes playoff showdown, the Golden State Warriors leaned on veteran guard Steph Curry to carry the team in the absence of injured star Jimmy Butler during Game 3 of their Western Conference series against the Houston Rockets. Curry delivered with a stellar performance, scoring 36 points on 12-of-23 shooting, leading Golden State to a 104-93 victory at Chase Center and giving the Warriors a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Facing a fierce Rockets defense, Curry proved to be an unstoppable force, deftly navigating screens and converting shots from all over the court. Warriors coach Steve Kerr praised his star player, noting, “He is one of the greatest players of all time. At 37, he remains one of the most well-conditioned athletes I’ve seen.”
While Curry shone as the focal point of the offense, he received crucial support from teammates. Buddy Hield contributed 17 points off the bench, while Draymond Green showcased his defensive prowess with seven points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Gary Payton provided a spark in the fourth quarter, scoring nine of his 16 points in a decisive two-minute stretch that helped the Warriors secure the lead.
Despite a challenging start in Game 1 where they were out-rebounded 52-36, the Warriors showed significant improvement on the boards, finishing Game 3 with just a six-rebound deficit. They also outscored the Rockets 44-38 in the paint, highlighting their adjustments and determination.
Butler, typically a key contributor known for his resilience, was sidelined with a bruised pelvis sustained during Game 2. Kerr had expressed cautious optimism about Butler’s availability, but he was ultimately ruled out before the game. Hield stepped up in Butler’s absence, jokingly referring to himself as “Robin” to Curry’s “Batman.”
Jonathan Kuminga started in Butler’s place and initially struggled, but contributed to the team’s efforts with tough drives to the basket. Curry kept the Warriors competitive, scoring 15 points in the first half despite being closely pressed by the Rockets’ defense, allowing Golden State to stay within three at halftime, 49-46.
The Warriors maintained their intensity in the third quarter, edging the Rockets 23-22. Curry added another 12 points during this stretch, while Kuminga began to make his mark. The Warriors’ free-throw shooting improved dramatically, hitting 12 of 15 attempts, compared to the Rockets’ 14 of 24.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, neither team could gain a firm upper hand, even when Curry briefly rested. Payton ignited the crowd and his teammates with back-to-back layups and a three-pointer, helping the Warriors take control and pull away in the game’s closing moments.
Moses Moody found some offensive success in the first quarter, attempting to keep the Warriors afloat as the Rockets surged ahead 22-18. The Warriors’ scoring drought in the second quarter allowed Houston to build a worrying lead of 34-22, but Curry’s offensive resilience became a pivotal turning point. He responded with a series of impressive plays, scoring 13 points in the period.
Curry acknowledged the challenges of the game, saying, “It’s not going to be a beautiful brand of basketball. Because of the matchup, the intensity and physicality, it takes patience to find our flow, especially without Jimmy.” Hield further bolstered the effort, contributing nine points during a crucial stretch that enabled the Warriors to regain momentum.
The Warriors will look to solidify their series advantage when they host the Rockets for Game 4 on Monday at 7 p.m. The stakes continue to rise as both teams vie for a critical victory in the playoffs.