The Houston Rockets faced a heartbreaking 109-106 loss against the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of their playoff series, falling behind 3-1. A critical moment occurred in the final seconds when Alperen Sengun, having scored 31 points, found himself in isolation against Draymond Green. Despite a well-designed play aimed at creating a mismatch with Gary Payton II, poor execution led to a challenging shot for Sengun that ultimately missed. Rockets coach Ime Udoka faced scrutiny for trusting Sengun in that situation, although he defended his player's shot choice. Both Sengun and Fred VanVleet noted communication issues during the critical moment, which contributed to the unsuccessful play.

As the series progresses, the Rockets must address their free throw woes, having missed 12 of 31 attempts in this game. The loss puts additional pressure on the team to regroup before the next matchup. The Warriors capitalized on Houston's mistakes, showcasing their defensive prowess, particularly through Green's effective coverage against Sengun. This game serves as a reminder of the thin margins in playoff basketball, where each decision and execution can lead to victory or defeat.

The Houston Rockets faced a tough loss to the Golden State Warriors, demonstrating both potential and struggles in their playoff matchup. In Game 4, despite Alperen Şengün's impressive performance with 31 points and 10 rebounds, the Rockets fell short, losing 109-106. Coach Ime Udoka's pre-game advice urged Şengün to maintain aggression on offense, a strategy that paid off until crucial moments when defensive pressure from the Warriors took its toll. Şengün, who had previously rushed shots, showed improvement by attacking the rim effectively, especially when matched against a less formidable defender.

However, a missed game-winning shot against the Warriors' Draymond Green showcased the challenges the Rockets are facing in tight situations. Green's defensive prowess limited Şengün's effectiveness at critical junctures. The overall team dynamic reflected a mix of youth and experience, with veteran Steven Adams emphasizing the importance of offensive aggression to manipulate defenses. As the series continues, the Rockets have shown they can compete, but consistency remains key if they hope to avoid elimination.

The Golden State Warriors secured a crucial 109-106 playoff victory against the Houston Rockets, with Buddy Hield playing a pivotal role on both offense and defense. Hield's performance marked a turnaround after a slow start in the series, as he scored 15 points and made significant defensive contributions, including five steals over the last two games. His efforts were acknowledged by head coach Steve Kerr, who praised Hield's defensive prowess in an unprecedented locker room address.

Hield's impact was evident as he tied for the best plus-minus rating on the team alongside Draymond Green, propelling the Warriors to a commanding 3-1 lead in the first-round series. With the Warriors poised to clinch a spot in the next round, maintaining high performance from Hield will be essential as they face the Rockets again.

In a nail-biting finish, the Golden State Warriors edged the Houston Rockets 109-106, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. Draymond Green's defensive prowess was pivotal, blocking a crucial shot from Alperen Sengun, allowing Jimmy Butler to seal the game with two free throws. Brandin Podziemski emerged as a standout, contributing 26 points, while Butler returned from injury to deliver key plays, including a flawless performance at the free-throw line. Despite strong efforts from Sengun and Fred VanVleet, the Rockets now face elimination as they prepare for Game 5 back in Houston.

In the midst of a competitive playoff series, Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun is seeking to regain his offensive rhythm after a rocky performance in Game 3 against the Golden State Warriors. Despite shining in the first two games of the series, Sengun struggled to find his shot, finishing 7-for-18 with eight missed shots from close range.

With the Rockets facing a 2-1 series deficit, Sengun acknowledged he was rushing his attempts, attributing his struggles to the Warriors' defensive schemes, particularly the presence of veteran Draymond Green. Rockets coach Ime Udoka encouraged Sengun to stay aggressive and confident as they prepare for Game 4, aiming to leverage his size against the Warriors' defense.