In an exhilarating showdown at the Chase Center on Saturday night, the Golden State Warriors showcased their resilience, clinching a hard-fought 104-93 victory against the Houston Rockets. This win gives them a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series, even in the absence of their star player, Jimmy Butler.
The game reached a thrilling climax when Draymond Green intercepted the ball and swiftly passed it to a flying Gary Payton II, who completed the play with a stunning reverse dunk. The Chase Center erupted in cheers as Jimmy Butler clapped in appreciation from the sidelines. Despite Butler's absence due to a pelvic and gluteal contusion, the Warriors delivered one of their most courageous performances of the season.
Gary Payton II stepped up in a crucial way, coming off the bench to contribute 16 points. "We had Jimmy's back while he was out," said Payton, expressing hope for Butler’s return in Game 4. Head coach Steve Kerr confirmed that Butler is day-to-day, allowing him time to recover before the next game.
In the absence of Butler, the Warriors adjusted their lineup, starting Jonathan Kuminga and Quinten Post. The Rockets initially took control, building a 13-point lead in the second quarter as Golden State struggled to find their rhythm.
However, Stephen Curry turned the tide for the Warriors. Facing intense physical defense and double teams from the Rockets, Curry found his groove, scoring 25 of his 36 points during the second and third quarters. His exceptional shooting, hitting 9-of-13 shots in that stretch, propelled the Warriors to a close 71-69 deficit entering the fourth quarter.
"He's one of the greatest players of all time," said Kerr, praising Curry's performance. "To play 41 minutes against that kind of defense and find his rhythm is something we've seen him do countless times." Curry's ability to navigate the pressure and only commit two turnovers highlighted his brilliance on the court.
Even without Butler, Curry received valuable support from his teammates. Buddy Hield contributed significantly, hitting five 3-pointers for a total of 17 points. In the critical fourth quarter, Curry added nine points, while Payton capitalized on the defensive attention directed at Curry. Payton scored nine consecutive points and assisted Curry for a crucial 3-pointer, extending the Warriors' lead to 95-86 with just over three minutes remaining.
The Rockets faced challenges throughout the game, especially after Jalen Green, who had previously scored 38 points in Game 2, finished with only nine points, six rebounds, and five assists. Alperen Sengun led Houston with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Dillon Brooks added 13 points before fouling out. Post-game tensions rose as frustrations mounted, culminating in a verbal exchange between Green and Draymond.
After the game, Butler took to Instagram to share a post featuring the Batman signal, replacing the logo with Curry's Under Armour emblem, reinforcing his playful nickname for Curry as "Batman." Butler expressed his gratitude for the team’s performance, stating, "Thanks, Batman and team, excluding Buddy," humorously acknowledging Hield's playful rivalry.
Curry, who has averaged 33.5 points in the series, expressed his hope for Butler's return in the upcoming Game 4. "I just know that I need to play at a high level for us to win, and so does he," Curry remarked, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in their playoff journey.
As anticipation builds for Game 4 on Monday, the Warriors look to maintain their momentum and secure a commanding lead in the series.
