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.