Butler’s Last-Second Magic and Podziemski’s Surprise Surge Ignite Warriors’ Nail-Biting Victory Over Rockets

It’s been quite the rollercoaster in San Francisco as the Warriors edged out the Rockets in a nail-biting 109-106 duel Monday night. This gritty victory wasn’t just any win—it propelled Golden State to a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff clash, inching them tantalizingly close to the Western Conference semifinals. Remarkably, Brandin Podziemski showcased poise well beyond his years, pouring in a career-high while Jimmy Butler, despite battling an injury, delivered in the clutch moments that truly define playoff basketball. Watching these moments unfold, you can’t help but feel the intensity, the drama… and the sheer will to win that the Warriors brought to the floor. Now, the question hanging in the air: will they close it out in Game 5 and rest up for the battles ahead? Dive deeper into the game’s twists and turns right here. LEARN MOREWith Golden State clinging to a 107-106 lead and 10 seconds remaining, Alperen Şengün missed a baby hook in the paint over Draymond Green, with Butler leaping over what seemed like giants to pull down a critical rebound, drawing a foul in the process.

Jimmy Butler saves the day

SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors fought their way to a gritty 109-106 win over the Houston Rockets on Monday night, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series. With Brandin Podziemski playing like a seasoned veteran and Jimmy Butler delivering in the game’s most critical moments, the Warriors are now one victory away from advancing to the Western Conference semifinals.The Rockets now return to Houston, tasked with solving a growing list of problems. Ime Udoka’s lineup adjustments will take center stage after Kerr’s tweaks in Game 4, such as starting Buddy Hield, proved effective. Will Udoka double down on his larger frontcourts, or search for another lineup configuration? Changes or not, it’s imperative for Houston to find some consistent shot creation beyond Şengün, move the ball and limit turnovers.

The Rockets now return to Houston, tasked with solving a growing list of problems. Ime Udoka’s lineup adjustments will take center stage after Kerr’s tweaks in Game 4, such as starting Buddy Hield, proved effective. Will Udoka double down on his larger frontcourts, or search for another lineup configuration? Changes or not, it’s imperative for Houston to find some consistent shot creation beyond Şengün, move the ball and limit turnovers.

The Rockets now return to Houston, tasked with solving a growing list of problems. Ime Udoka’s lineup adjustments will take center stage after Kerr’s tweaks in Game 4, such as starting Buddy Hield, proved effective. Will Udoka double down on his larger frontcourts, or search for another lineup configuration? Changes or not, it’s imperative for Houston to find some consistent shot creation beyond Şengün, move the ball and limit turnovers.

The Rockets now return to Houston, tasked with solving a growing list of problems. Ime Udoka’s lineup adjustments will take center stage after Kerr’s tweaks in Game 4, such as starting Buddy Hield, proved effective. Will Udoka double down on his larger frontcourts, or search for another lineup configuration? Changes or not, it’s imperative for Houston to find some consistent shot creation beyond Şengün, move the ball and limit turnovers.

The Rockets now return to Houston, tasked with solving a growing list of problems. Ime Udoka’s lineup adjustments will take center stage after Kerr’s tweaks in Game 4, such as starting Buddy Hield, proved effective. Will Udoka double down on his larger frontcourts, or search for another lineup configuration? Changes or not, it’s imperative for Houston to find some consistent shot creation beyond Şengün, move the ball and limit turnovers.

The Rockets now return to Houston, tasked with solving a growing list of problems. Ime Udoka’s lineup adjustments will take center stage after Kerr’s tweaks in Game 4, such as starting Buddy Hield, proved effective. Will Udoka double down on his larger frontcourts, or search for another lineup configuration? Changes or not, it’s imperative for Houston to find some consistent shot creation beyond Şengün, move the ball and limit turnovers.

It worked for much of the second half, as Houston finished with a higher eFG% than Golden State by night’s end, punishing them in the paint 48-to-28. The downside, however, was that they couldn’t quite pull away from the Dubs. Their adjustment to playing more zone defense, due to Adams, left vulnerabilities on the perimeter. Despite limiting Curry to just 3-for-7 shooting in the second half, Podziemski and Hield thrived going a combined 6-for-12 from 3 across the final two frames.

Looking ahead

Starting hot with 10 points in the first quarter and eight in the second, Podziemski carried what Green labeled “irrational confidence” into the second half, pacing the Warriors as their leading scorer until the final seconds. His strings of heady plays and timely 3s lifted the Warriors during an 18-1 run that spanned the second and third quarters, providing much-needed stability as Green dealt with foul trouble and Stephen Curry faced heavy defensive pressure.For the Warriors, Game 5 not only represents a chance to close out the series but also an opportunity to gain some hard-earned rest before the next round.Moments later, standing calmly at the free-throw line as Chase Center held its collective breath, Butler sank both shots to extend the lead to three. It was the exclamation point on a night full of clutch plays, as Fred Van Vleet’s desperation heave at the buzzer fell short.