Houston Rockets Blowout Golden State Warriors 131-116

The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors Game 5 could have gone in one of two directions. Either the Rockets got a home win to live another day or the Warriors win in five games. The Rockets had the game from start to finish for a 131-116 win at the Toyota Center on Wednesday night. Golden State leads the series 3-2.

Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Recap

The Houston Rockets ruled out Jae’Sean Tate with a right ankle impingement. Tate has yet to play in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The Rockets’ starting lineup featured Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jalen Green (no relation to Draymond Green), Dillon Brooks, and Alperen Sengun.

The Golden State Warriors listed Jimmy Butler as probable with a left pelvis contusion. Butler suffered the injury in Game 2 of the series. The Warriors’ starting lineup featured Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.

The Rockets put aggression on full display throughout the first quarter. The Warriors attempted zero free throws in the quarter. The Rockets led 40-26 after the first quarter. The Rockets continued to dominate in the second quarter. The Warriors’ offense picked up the pace. The Rockets took a 76-49 lead into the halftime break.

The Rockets struck first to open the second half. The Warriors picked up the pace, but failed to inch closer to the Rockets. The Rockets took a commanding lead, 107-80, after three quarters. The Rockets continued to stifle the Warriors’ defense in the fourth quarter. The Rockets won 131-116 in regulation.

Rockets vs. Warriors Stat Lines

VanVleet led the Rockets with 26 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists. Thompson followed with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Brooks added 24 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists. Sengun had 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. Green scored 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Moses Moody led the Warriors with 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists. Kevin Knox II followed with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Curry added 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists. Pat Spencer had 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Butler scored 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Final Thoughts

The Golden State Warriors edged the Houston Rockets 109-106 in Game 4 at the Chase Center in a Saturday night thriller. Butler led the Warriors with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Sengun led the Rockets with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. With the win, Golden State took a 3-1 series lead.

The Warriors and Rockets’ first-round series will shift to San Francisco for Game 6 on Friday night. The No. 2 Rockets can defeat the No. 7 Warriors and keep the series going by increasing physicality to stop Curry, Butler, and Jonathan Kuminga, exploiting the Warriors’ lack of size, and getting into a rhythm early on.