In a gripping Game 6 showdown, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Houston Rockets, vying for a chance to advance in the playoffs. Despite holding a 3-1 series lead, the Warriors faltered, succumbing to a 115-107 defeat at home. The Rockets, powered by Fred VanVleet's stellar performance of 29 points, showcased resilience, forcing a decisive Game 7.

The Warriors struggled offensively, particularly in the fourth quarter, where star player Stephen Curry managed just three points. This inconsistency, coupled with a strong Rockets frontcourt led by Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams, proved too much for Golden State to handle. With the series now tied at 3-3, attention turns to Houston for the ultimate decider.

The Golden State Warriors are adjusting their starting lineup for Game 6 against the Houston Rockets, aiming to secure their place in the second round of the playoffs. After experimenting with various lineups throughout the series, Coach Steve Kerr will include Gary Payton II in the starting five alongside key players like Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. This marks the first instance this season where these five players will play together at the start of a game.

Payton II has been contributing with solid performance, averaging 6.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in about 15.2 minutes per game against the Rockets. The Warriors hope this strategic tweak will elevate their game as they face a critical opportunity to eliminate Houston and advance.

In a thrilling Game 4, the Golden State Warriors edged the Houston Rockets 109-106, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Draymond Green's late defensive play sealed the win, while Brandin Podziemski emerged as a key contributor with 26 points. Jimmy Butler, returning from injury, solidified his impact by converting all 12 of his free throws. Despite a dominant performance from Alperen Sengun, who scored 31 points, the Rockets find themselves facing elimination as they head into Game 5.

The intensity of this series is evident, with both teams showing physicality, leading to multiple technical fouls. Butler's return reinvigorated the Warriors, and even though the Rockets maintained a rebounding advantage, they couldn't convert it into a victory. In Game 5, Houston will need to harness their home court if they hope to extend the series against a resilient Warriors squad aiming for a second-round matchup.

In a crucial Game 4, the Golden State Warriors secured a narrow 109-106 victory against the Houston Rockets, with standout performances from Brandin Podziemski and Jimmy Butler. Stephen Curry, who has been the team's primary driver, had an off night, scoring only 16 points. However, Podziemski stepped up, scoring 26 points and nailing six 3-pointers. Butler, despite missing the game with a pelvic contusion, played a pivotal role in previous games, exemplifying the depth of the Warriors' roster.

Head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the impressive play of Podziemski, calling him “big-time” and praising his poise. The Warriors will maintain their starting lineup for Game 5, featuring Curry, Podziemski, Butler, Buddy Hield, and Draymond Green, but will miss Jonathan Kuminga due to injury. This victory sets the stage for an exciting Game 5 showdown back in Houston.

The Golden State Warriors have fought back admirably after a tough start to the postseason, bouncing back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Memphis Grizzlies. After dropping two of their last three games heading into the playoffs, the Warriors secured the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference via the Play-In Tournament. Currently leading their playoff series against the Grizzlies 3-1, the Warriors have shown resilience, particularly in their home games.

In Game 3, Stephen Curry led the charge with a game-high 36 points, showcasing his scoring prowess. Game 4 was a nail-biter, tied at 104 with just over a minute remaining. It was Jimmy Butler's clutch free-throw shooting that sealed the deal for the Warriors, along with a commendable performance from Brandon Podziemski, who scored 26 points to support Curry's efforts. His post-game message to the fans highlighted the electric atmosphere at the Chase Center, reminiscent of their glory days.