Preview: Just like old times, Warriors ready to knock out the Rockets
Banged up and taking it personally now, Golden State is ready to end Houston's season
After taking care of business at home, the Golden State Warriors are back in action tonight in Houston against the Rockets. The goal tonight is to end the series quickly in order to maximize rest time for the banged up Warriors. But the Warriors know all too well that no series is over until that final hurdle is cleared. Tonight is going to be intense. Well, this afternoon? Tipoff is at 4:30 California time.1
Golden State has been tinkering with their rotations a bit, and the Rockets are certainly within sniffing distance and might have one last gasp left in them to extend what has been an extremely successful season for a young team.
It’s way too early to worry about who may be up next, but note that the other series in the Warriors’ section of the playoff bracket will happen right after tonight’s game. So the dominos could fall into place extremely fast if both the Warriors and Timberwolves win.
First order of business: take care of business. TCB, as Diana Ross would say. The energy in Houston is electric—swirling anticipation, nervous optimism, and the simmering tension of a fan base that’s seen this story before but still dares to believe it ends differently this time.
GAME DETAILS
WHO: Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
Warriors lead series 3-1
WHEN: Wednesday, April 30th, 2025: 4:30 pm
WATCH: TNT
“You get the stop, I'll get the rebound”
Pray. For. The. Bear.
There were plenty of memorable moments in game four, from the unexpected excellence of Buddy Hield to a killer performance by Brandin Podziemski. But Jimmy Butler inspired awe. After getting his feet swept out from under him early in game 2 and missing game 3, it was no sure thing that Butler would be able to even play the game - much less shine so brightly.
A hobbled Butler started off slow - in every sense of the word. Just four points in the first half, and moving like an old guy with one of those little walkers with tennis balls instead of wheels. And then things started getting chippy. But just look at Butler’s gait on this chase down play. This isn’t a man that is anywhere close to full health.
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Like many of the greats, Butler has this palpable vibe of “don’t piss him off.” Like Curry’s little smirk and nod, or Draymond Green’s thousand yard stare, there’s something scary about what happens when Butler locks all the way in.
Dillon Brooks - who plays the hateable heel almost too well, and has for years - was the catalyst.
It started early, when Brooks was at the epicenter of a flare-up involving both Green and Curry. After picking up a quick second foul by hip checking Curry to the floor, Brooks didn’t take kindly to Curry’s reaction and tried to swipe the ball out of Curry’s hand while he was being helped up by Green.
But Brooks got the wrong guy mad just before halftime. The exchange at the free throw line was good television, but you’ll notice in the screen grabs that Jimmy isn’t smiling. Not one bit.2
Butler and the Warriors looked a little wobbly going into halftime, but came out in the 3rd quarter with that unsettling gleam in their eyes. This was personal. And maybe for no one more so than Butler.
With just four points on three shots in the first half, it was looking like one of those where you throw your hands up and say, “he tried.” But Playoff Jimmy showed up in the second half - playing the entire fourth quarter and chipping in 14 points… and one epic rebound. He scored nine of the Warriors' final 12 points, ending up with a game-high 27 overall (on 7-for-12 shooting; 12 for 12 from the line), plus five rebounds and six assists. Not bad for a guy that almost didn’t play.
“Your body starts to warm up. You start to feel a little bit better. You gain confidence,” Butler said. “People start talking to you. Then good things happen.”
…
“I’m back,” Butler said. “I’m back in a big way.”
It was Brooks that put his hands on Butler on a critical three point attempt with the clock winding down (Butler would hit all three). But that rebound was the cherry on top. The chef’s kiss at the end of a perfect meal.
In his post game comments, Butler said that he spoke with Draymond Green before the play. Noting that the assignments and rotations almost certainly meant that Butler wouldn’t be stuck wedged against the human mountain that is Steven Adams, he told Green, “You get the stop, I’ll get the rebound.”
And that’s exactly what happened. Alperen Sengun has turned into the Rockets’ most reliable option (apologies to Fred VanFleezus) now that the Warriors have deciphered Jalen Green.3 But Green walled him off on his drive attempt, denying a couple of fairly listless half-hearted moves while giving ground. A slight hesi to one side, then a spinning one hander that was some kind of weird hybrid half-hook shot. Draymond Green, as he has done so frequently before was too strong, defensively - he got the stop.
Then, as foretold, Butler came soaring in, sore butt muscle and all, to harvest the rebound and seal the win. Walking back towards the game ending free throws yelling, “My rebound!”
This is lore. The sorts of memories that turn into legacy. I don’t know what else happens this season, but this squad is dangerous. Extremely dangerous. In all the right ways.
Prediction
Down 3-1, it’s time for the Rockets to make any remaining crazy adjustments they can think of. The double big lineup has been a problem. If the Rockets hadn’t been ice cold from the charity stripe (19 of 31 as a team), things could have gone differently in game four.
But it feels like the Warriors survived the Rockets best shot. Huge games from VanFleet and Sengun, Butler banged up, Curry was off, and Draymond sitting for an extended period weren’t enough to win.
Golden State buckles down, Rockets run out of gas and answers. Warriors in five, but it’s going to be tense.
Game time is 1:30 AM Thursday in Munich, Germany; 2:30AM in Greece.
For those that aren’t good at lip reading, it appears as if what Butler says right before Brooks’ over exaggerated laugh is, “you suck, and you a bitch.” Elite trash talk.
Jalen Green has been stifled. He managed just eight points (on eight shots). He now has a grand total sum of 24 points in the three games that Houston has lost.
Post-game thread up.
I see the HOU deep bench coming in. Best case scenario would be if Dub Bench Squad do somehow get this close enough to get HOU to bring back the starters. Otherwise… rest up, old guys!