In what turned into a rollercoaster of emotion, controversy, and clutch plays, the Golden State Warriors held off the Houston Rockets 109–106 (Rockets vs Warriors) on Sunday night at Chase Centre. The victory gives Golden State a commanding 3–1 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series, putting them one win away from advancing to the next round. But the win didn’t come without questions — and plenty of them.
A Hot Start, a Cold Clock
The drama started before fans even had a chance to settle into their seats. The shot clock failed to function for the first 78 seconds of the game (Rockets vs Warriors) — a technical glitch that allowed for four possessions without any time awareness. Somehow, no one — not the players, coaches, referees, or officials — caught it until over a minute had passed. Even though the glitch didn’t change the score, it set a messy tone for a night filled with confusion and frustration on the court.
All Eyes on the Refs
Things really started to heat up in the second quarter (Rockets vs Warriors). After Dillon Brooks delivered a tough foul on Steph Curry, tempers flared fast, and what followed was a fiery back-and-forth that had everyone on edge — players, fans, and even the refs. Draymond Green immediately stepped in, and chaos briefly took over. Officials handed out technical fouls to Curry, Brooks, and Green — a move that had TNT analysts like Reggie Miller openly questioning the referees’ consistency.
Later in the game, another scuffle involving Green and Rockets forward Tari Eason led to a flagrant foul call. Some believed Green should’ve been ejected, having already picked up a technical, but the refs stopped short of that. In fact, several calls — including a reversed foul decision involving Curry and a misused coach’s challenge — left both fanbases fuming. Social media erupted during and after the game, with many calling it one of the sloppiest officiated playoff games in recent memory.
Rockets Show Grit but Fall Short
For Houston, it was a night of missed opportunities. After grabbing a 10-point lead midway through the second quarter, the Rockets seemed poised to steal a road win. But as the game wore on, the Rockets struggled to find their rhythm — missed shots and sloppy spacing opened the door for the Warriors to fight their way back in.
Alperen Şengün, who had been shining all series, just couldn’t get into a groove this time, finishing with 15 points on 18 shots. Jalen Green also had a quiet night, putting up only nine points as he battled to get free against the Warriors’ tough, experienced defense.
“We competed,” said Rockets head coach Ime Udoka postgame. “But at this level, effort isn’t enough — we have to execute better, especially in the fourth quarter.”
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Warriors Lean on Experience
Golden State’s veteran core — Curry, Green, and newcomer Jimmy Butler — played like a team that’s been here before. Curry finished with 27 points and hit key shots in the final minutes. Butler added grit and defense, while Green, despite the drama, anchored the team emotionally and defensively.
Though the Warriors don’t look as dominant as in past playoff runs, their late-game poise continues to be their greatest asset. “It wasn’t pretty, but we’ll take it,” Curry said with a grin after the game.(Rockets vs Warriors)
Looking Ahead
The series now heads back to Houston for Game 5. The Rockets, facing elimination, will need a near-perfect performance to keep their season alive. For the Warriors, the mission is simple: close it out, avoid Game 6, and get some rest before the next round.(Rockets vs Warriors)
With tensions high and emotions even higher, Game 5 promises more fireworks — and maybe, hopefully, a working shot clock.
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