HOUSTON — In a thrilling Game 7 showdown, the Golden State Warriors outlasted the Houston Rockets 103-89, with Buddy Hield stepping up as an unexpected star. Hield’s impressive performance, which included nine 3-pointers and a total of 33 points, paved the way for the Warriors to advance to the Western Conference semifinals. Stephen Curry provided veteran support, scoring 14 of his 22 points in a commanding fourth quarter, sealing the victory for Golden State.

“Getting through this series was fortunate for us,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, highlighting his team’s resilience. “That was a truly remarkable display of determination.”

The Warriors will now face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. Hield’s resurgence was particularly noteworthy. After not scoring a single point in Game 6, he lit up the first half, sinking six 3-pointers and accumulating 22 points to help his team establish a 12-point lead at halftime, while Curry managed just three points.

“This was not just a great shooting night for Buddy; he played superb defense as well,” Kerr added, emphasizing Hield’s all-around contributions. The Warriors’ victory marked the seventh time a No. 7 seed has advanced to the semifinals, once again eliminating the Rockets from playoff contention.

Historically, the Warriors have had the Rockets’ number in the postseason, having ousted Houston four times between 2015 and 2019, a streak that continues despite a roster overhaul for the Rockets. Fred VanVleet noted the difference, stating, “This isn’t that team.”

Draymond Green echoed that sentiment, adding, “It’s about the organization. We enjoy coming here and playing in these scenarios; it’s always been good for us.” Hield notably shot 9 of 11 from beyond the arc, setting a new NBA record for the most 3-pointers in a Game 7, outshooting the Rockets, who managed only 6 of 18 from long range.

Reflecting on his performance, Hield remarked, “I just wanted to seize and enjoy the moment. It was fun to be myself tonight.” Curry contributed significantly, not only in scoring but also with ten rebounds and seven assists. Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 24 points, but the team’s inexperience ultimately was their downfall as they failed to capitalize on opportunities after forcing a decisive Game 7 with back-to-back wins.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka expressed disappointment but also optimism for improvement. “We had chances in this series. This is a letdown, but it’s a learning experience to come back stronger,” he stated.

Golden State began the fourth quarter with an 8-point advantage and swiftly pushed the lead to 75-62 after a quick 5-0 run. Although Houston responded with six consecutive points, the Warriors countered with a 7-2 spurt, solidifying their advantage.

Curry’s late-game heroics included a contested 3-pointer and a key assist to Hield, further demoralizing the Rockets and sending many fans toward the exits. Jimmy Butler added another layer to the Warriors’ success, scoring 20 points and contributing eight rebounds and seven assists, continuing his impactful play since joining the team mid-season.

Meanwhile, VanVleet, who had performed exceptionally well in the previous two games, struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting. The Rockets’ big man Alperen Sengun tallied 21 points but had difficulties completing shots, finishing 9 of 23. Jalen Green, who had a remarkable Game 2 but only contributed eight points in the finale, acknowledged the challenge of the playoffs.

The Warriors played without key reserve Gary Payton II, sidelined by illness. Despite this setback, four Warriors starters still managed to reach double figures in scoring, underscoring the team’s depth and adaptability as they move forward in the postseason.