The Golden State Warriors pulled off a gritty 104-93 win against the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series, showcasing their resilience even without star player Jimmy Butler. Butler, sidelined with a pelvic and deep gluteal muscle contusion suffered in Game 2, watched from the sidelines as his teammates stepped up to secure a 2-1 series lead.
Gary Payton II, coming off the bench, delivered an electrifying performance, scoring 16 points, including a spectacular reverse dunk that energized the Chase Center crowd. Payton’s contribution highlighted the Warriors’ depth and their ability to overcome adversity. He expressed confidence in Butler’s return for Game 4, stating, “We had Jimmy’s back while he was out. Hopefully we get Jimmy back for Game 4, and we get back to our regular scheduled program.”
Stephen Curry led the offensive charge, demonstrating his legendary scoring prowess with 36 points, 25 of which came in the crucial second and third quarters. His aggressive play, despite facing relentless double teams from Houston’s defense, proved instrumental in turning the tide of the game. Coach Steve Kerr lauded Curry’s performance, calling him “one of the greatest players of all time” and praising his exceptional conditioning and ability to find his rhythm under pressure.
Beyond Curry’s scoring outburst, the Warriors received significant contributions from Buddy Hield, who hit five 3-pointers and scored 17 points. In the pivotal fourth quarter, Payton capitalized on the defensive attention focused on Curry, scoring nine straight points and assisting on a key three-pointer to extend the Warriors’ lead. ESPN Research noted that the Rockets double-teamed Curry on 27 plays, yet the Warriors still averaged 1.22 points per play on those possessions.
The Rockets, despite Jalen Green’s nine points, six rebounds, and five assists, struggled to contain the Warriors’ offensive firepower. Alperen Sengun led Houston with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Dillon Brooks added 13 points before fouling out. Post-game, frustration boiled over as Jalen Green engaged in a verbal altercation with Draymond Green, an incident downplayed by the Warriors’ power forward.
Adding to the post-game drama, Jimmy Butler shared an Instagram post featuring the Batman signal, but with Curry’s Under Armour logo replacing the Batman symbol, a playful nod to his nickname for Curry (“Batman”). Curry expressed his appreciation for the gesture and emphasized the need for a collective effort to secure future wins, stating, “I just know that I need to play at a high level for us to win. And so does he and so does Draymond and so does everybody.”
The Warriors’ victory underscores their determination and the team’s overall strength. With Butler’s status day-to-day, the focus shifts to Game 4, where a fully healthy Golden State squad could pose an even greater challenge to the Rockets.
