Buddy Hield Ignites Warriors Past Rockets in Game 7 Showdown

The Golden State Warriors are advancing — but not after a dramatic and nerve-testing Game 7 finale in Houston. In a do-or-die confrontation at the Toyota Center, the Warriors held off the Houston Rockets 103-89 to win their first-round playoff series 4-3 and salvage their season from what would have been a record-breaking collapse after taking the series 3-1.

A lot of the credit goes to sharpshooter **Buddy Hield**, who posted a first-half shooting performance for the ages, and **Stephen Curry**, who awakened in the final quarter's clutch time. The win not only prevented the Warriors from joining NBA history as the 14th team to lose a 3-1 lead but also secured their third Western Conference Semifinals appearance in four years.



### A Tight Beginning Turns into a Hield Show

The game was an even fight in the early going, with each team trading baskets and defensive stops. The first quarter was close, with neither team creating space. Curry, the franchise's face, struggled early, missing his initial few shots and not scoring until the last minute of the half.



That's when **Buddy Hield filled the void and ignited the Rockets' defense**. The veteran shooting guard erupted in the second quarter, making five 3-pointers over a matter of minutes. He had 22 points at halftime on an incredibly efficient 6-of-7 3-point shooting, much of that in a torrid **16-2 spurt** that created the Warriors' double-digit advantage.



The Rockets had nothing for Hield's off-the-ball movement and quick release. Spot-up opportunities or transition threes at the top of the key, he was able to punish Houston's defense time and time again. At halftime, the Warriors were up by 12, and Hield was already past his series high.

### Rockets Push Back, Warriors Wobble

But like in so much of playoff basketball, momentum shifted in a flash during the second half.

The Warriors' offense sputtered in the third quarter, with Hield cooling off and Curry still getting his legs under him. **Hield did not score during the entire third quarter**, taking only one shot, as the Rockets turned up the defensive pressure and began to make a push.



Led by freshman forward **Jabari Smith Jr.**, Houston launched a **14-4 streak** at the start of the third and shaved the lead to single digits. Late in the period, Smith nailed a key 3-pointer to bring the margin to a mere three points, creating pandemonium in the home arena and making the pressure squarely once again Golden State's problem.

But the Warriors, who have a reputation for their playoff calmness, countered with a **7-2 mini-run** to seal out the quarter. Though not flashy, it sufficed to take back command and head into the fourth with an eight-point lead.

### Curry Closes the Door

Until the fourth quarter, **Stephen Curry had been unusually subdued**. But when it was most important, the two-time MVP flipped the switch.



He started the fourth quarter with a **personal 5-0 spree**, capped by an old-school step-back 3-pointer that pushed the Warriors' advantage to 13 in the first 71 seconds. That stretch prompted a hurried timeout from the Rockets and stalled their momentum.

It was a turning point that showed Curry's capacity to perform under pressure situations, even following a bad beginning. With the Rockets struggling to counter, Curry kept facilitating the offense, attracting defenders and generating open opportunities for teammates.

Halfway through the fourth, **Buddy Hield returned**, hitting another 3-pointer — his first of the half — to pad the advantage back into double digits. Not only did the shot quell a minor Houston rally, but it **established a new playoff career high** for Hield.

the knockout punch.

With just a few minutes left, the Warriors launched a **devastating 12-0 run in under 90 seconds**, capped by yet another Hield triple. In the blink of an eye, Golden State’s lead ballooned to 20, and the Rockets’ hopes of a comeback were all but erased.



### Redemption and Dominance



This Game 7 victory is particularly meaningful for Golden State. It exorcised the demons of their historic 3-1 Finals collapse in 2016 and showed they can still rally from adversity on the road.

The Warriors also maintained their mastery over Houston —they've now won **20 of their last 25 games** against the Rockets, including a number of critical playoff games throughout the years.



Hield ended the night as the hero, not only for his numbers, but for the timely aspect of his play. His explosion in the first half provided Golden State with the breathing room it required, while his clutch shot late in the game served to seal the win. **He finished with a playoff career-high in scoring**, demonstrating his worth on the biggest stage.

Curry, though his early season woes, finished strong and reminded us all why he is still one of the game's all-time closers.

### Looking Ahead

With this victory, the Warriors move on to the **Western Conference Semifinals**, where they'll meet a challenging opponent (yet to be determined). Though there are things to work on — namely, how to avoid droughts on offense — the resilience displayed in this Game 7 will carry them forward.

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