Rockets Leave Warriors Reeling with Late Fourth-Quarter Rally
The Houston Rockets have shattered expectations and brought their season to the brink of something special. Trailing by 15 points midway through Game 6, they didn't just claw back—they charged past the Golden State Warriors with a relentless intensity, sealing a 115-107 win and forcing a series-deciding Game 7.
The spotlight was firmly on Fred VanVleet, who put on a display that Rockets fans won’t soon forget. He piled up 29 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished eight assists in a performance that seemed to gather steam as the game wore on. Alperen Şengün played a critical supporting role, chipping in 21 points and handling the physicality in the paint. But it was VanVleet’s steadiness and shot-making, especially when the clock was ticking down, that set the tone.
For three quarters, it looked like Stephen Curry and the Warriors would close out the series. Curry was electric, firing in six three-pointers and finishing with 29 points. The Warriors’ offense flowed in the first half, with ball movement creating open shots and keeping the Rockets’ defense on its heels. Yet late-game pressure and Houston’s disciplined defense caused the wheels to come off.
Warriors Unravel As Houston’s Defense Tightens the Screws
With less than five minutes left on the clock, Golden State’s offense hit a wall. The Rockets outscored the Warriors 18-7 in the last 4:30, flipping the script with a barrage of timely stops and cold-blooded scoring. VanVleet nailed a dagger three-pointer just as the shot clock was expiring—a moment that seemed to drain the energy out of Chase Center.
So, what went wrong for the Warriors? Their problem wasn't just missed shots. It was turnovers, lazy passes, and missed assignments on defense. The Rockets switched to tighter perimeter coverage, making it tough for Curry to get clean looks. Golden State’s other stars struggled: Klay Thompson couldn’t find his rhythm, and secondary scorers looked hesitant or simply failed to deliver when the pressure ramped up.
Houston’s strategy was clever: they mixed aggressive ball screens with isolation plays, drawing mismatches and forcing the Warriors’ weakest defenders into action. The impact showed late, as Golden State’s communication broke down and Houston got one clean shot after another.
Certain Warriors possessions ended in ugly fashion, with panicked shots or errant passes that sent the Rockets racing the other way. Houston seemed to feed off the frustration, each steal and rebound energizing their bench and quieting the home crowd.
Now, all eyes turn to Game 7. Can the Warriors recover from this stinging collapse and rediscover their earlier form? Or will the Rockets ride their defensive ferocity and VanVleet’s leadership to complete the comeback? The stakes have never been higher for either squad.