Houston, Texas—The Houston Rockets’ playoff journey came to a disappointing end Sunday night as they fell to the Golden State Warriors, 103-89, in a decisive Game 7. After staging a remarkable comeback to force the final game from a 3-1 series deficit, the Rockets struggled to find their rhythm when it mattered most, marking a stark contrast to their previous performances.

The defeat leaves Houston reflecting on a season filled with promise but ultimately falling short of expectations. Coach Ime Udoka expressed disappointment, acknowledging the missed opportunities throughout the series. “We all thought we had our chances. It’s a letdown, and it stings now,” he said. “However, it’s crucial that we use this as motivation for next season. We need to come back better.”

The Rockets entered the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, securing 52 wins and returning to playoff action for the first time since 2020. However, the Warriors, who have historically been a challenging opponent, eliminated the Rockets in the playoffs for the fifth time since 2015.

Despite their high placement in the standings, Udoka was clear that regular-season accolades mean little in the face of playoff elimination. “Nobody cares about our wins or being second place right now. It’s all about where we ended up,” he noted.

Golden State’s Stephen Curry led the charge in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 of his 22 points, while Buddy Hield set an NBA record for a Game 7 by sinking nine three-pointers en route to a game-high 33 points. Hield’s shooting was particularly striking, as he connected on 9 of 11 attempts from beyond the arc—outperforming the entire Rockets team, which managed just 6 of 18 three-point shots.

Houston never regained the lead after the first quarter, allowing the Warriors to pull away decisively. The Rockets had shown resilience earlier in the series, thanks in part to guard Fred VanVleet, who scored a notable 55 points across the last two games. However, he was held to only 17 points on Sunday, and the Rockets’ struggles were echoed across the roster. Big man Alperen Sengun posted 21 points and 14 rebounds but missed several key opportunities with a lackluster shooting percentage of 39%.

Reflecting on the season, Sengun found reason to be optimistic. “We learned how to play together,” he remarked. “It’s been a tough series for us. We’re upset now, but I believe this offseason will help us grow and improve next year.”

Rockets guard Jalen Green, who had a breakout performance earlier in the series with a Game 2 highlight of 38 points, faced criticism for his performance in the decisive contest, finishing with just eight points. He acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, “This was my first playoff experience, but that’s no excuse. I need to be better.”

VanVleet came to the defense of his younger teammate, emphasizing the uniqueness of each player’s journey. “He’s got a lot on his shoulders right now, and while it can be tough, he’s on the path to greatness. There will be stumbles, but that’s part of the process,” he stated.

As the Rockets reflect on a season that began with high hopes but ended in disappointment, the focus now shifts to building a stronger team for the future. The lessons learned during this playoff run could become the foundation for a more competitive season ahead, as they seek to ascend once again in the league.