Warriors star Jimmy Butler returned from injury in Game 4 with a team-high 27 points and five crucial free throws in the final minute, and Houston now faces potential elimination in Game 5.
After leading by four points late, the Houston Rockets were outscored by seven points in the final four minutes of Monday’s crushing 109-106 Game 4 loss at Golden State (box score). A controversial three-shot foul by Dillon Brooks against Warriors star Jimmy Butler in a tie game with under a minute left proved decisive.
With the loss, Golden State leads the best-of-seven series by a commanding 3-1 margin. They will attempt to close out the first-round clash in Wednesday’s Game 5 at Houston.
Statistics of note included:
- Alperen Sengun: 31 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals; 12-of-28 shooting (42.9%), 7-of-10 on free throws (70.0%)
- Fred VanVleet: 25 points, 6 assists; 8-of-12 on 3-pointers (66.7%)
- Amen Thompson: 17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists; 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%)
- Jalen Green: 8 points, 5 turnovers; 3-of-8 shooting (37.5%), 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20.0%)
- Steven Adams: 5 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks; 2-of-4 shooting (50.0%)
- Jimmy Butler: 27 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds; 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%), 12-of-12 on free throws
- Brandon Podziemski: 26 points, 5 assists; 9-of-18 shooting (50.0%), 6-of-11 on 3-pointers (54.5%)
- Steph Curry: 17 points, 3 assists, 4 turnovers; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 2-of-8 on 3-pointers (25.0%)
Butler returned after missing Game 3 and most of Game 2 with a left pelvic contusion, and his three free throws in a tie game with under a minute left were the difference.
Despite beating Golden State in overall shooting, 3-point shooting, and rebounds, the Rockets made just 19-of-31 free throws (61.3%) compared to 20-of-22 for the Warriors (90.9%). That gap proved decisive.
Game 4 Highlights
Postgame Interviews
Rockets-Warriors in 2025 NBA Playoffs
- Game 1: Warriors 95, Rockets 85 (Golden State leads, 1-0)
- Game 2: Rockets 109, Warriors 94 (Series tied, 1-1)
- Game 3: Warriors 104, Rockets 93 (Golden State leads, 2-1)
- Game 4: Warriors 109, Rockets 106 (Golden State leads, 3-1)
- Game 5: at Houston (Wednesday, April 30, 6:30 p.m. on TNT)
- Game 6, if necessary: at Golden State (Friday, May 2, TBD)
- Game 7, if necessary: at Houston (Sunday, May 4, TBD)
All games not televised on ABC will also be televised via a regional Space City Home Network broadcast featuring Houston’s own broadcast team.
