VanVleet Leads the Charge as Houston Rockets Force Game Seven Against Warriors

Houston Rockets fight back from 3-1 down to level series with Golden State Warriors after 115-107 win

The Houston Rockets just won’t go quietly.

Down 3-1 in their first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, many assumed their season was on the verge of ending. But with their backs against the wall, the young Rockets have responded with fight, fire, and most importantly, two straight wins — including Friday night’s gritty 115-107 victory at the Toyota Center to tie the series at 3-3.

Now, everything comes down to one game. One winner-takes-all matchup. Game seven, back in Houston.

And if Fred VanVleet keeps playing like this, the Rockets just might finish off what would be one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent playoff memory.

VanVleet Shows His Championship Pedigree

Momentum on Houston Side?

When the Rockets signed VanVleet last summer, it wasn’t just for his scoring — it was for moments like these. The veteran point guard, a 2019 NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, delivered a complete performance that screamed big-game experience. He dropped 29 points on the Warriors, including timely buckets in the fourth quarter that helped Houston maintain their edge as Golden State made one final push.

VanVleet also dished out eight assists and pulled down eight rebounds, showing the type of leadership and two-way play the Rockets have leaned on heavily since falling into that early series hole.

“He’s had some really good stretches lately,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said postgame. “He knows what it is. He’s been a champion. Been there, done that. So I wouldn’t expect anything less than that from him.”

Udoka’s trust in VanVleet has never wavered, and on a night when the Rockets needed their stars to shine, the veteran floor general delivered with calm, control, and a whole lot of confidence.

Sengun’s Double-Double Anchors Houston Inside

While VanVleet orchestrated the offense, it was Alperen Sengun who gave the Rockets a steady presence inside. The Turkish center finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds, notching another double-double in what’s been a breakout postseason for the 21-year-old big man.

Sengun’s ability to dominate the glass and punish mismatches in the paint helped tilt the physical battle in Houston’s favor — no small feat against a Warriors team that still boasts Draymond Green and Kevon Looney in their frontcourt rotation.

His rebounding, especially down the stretch, limited Golden State’s second-chance opportunities and allowed the Rockets to control the tempo in the closing minutes.

Warriors Falter Again with Closeout Chance

For the second time in three nights, the Warriors had a chance to end the series. And for the second time, they couldn’t get the job done.

Golden State’s offense sputtered late, undone by a mix of cold shooting and costly turnovers. Stephen Curry led the way with 26 points, but struggled to find rhythm from beyond the arc, going just 4-for-13 from deep. Klay Thompson added 17, but the splash brothers never quite caught fire the way they have in previous playoff runs.

“I thought we got some good looks against the zone,” said head coach Steve Kerr, “but then, once they pulled away by 10 or 12, it was easier for them to run us off the line.”

The Warriors have been known for their composure in big moments, but in Games 5 and 6, it’s been the Rockets showing more poise, more hunger, and more execution when it matters.

A Series That’s Flipped on Its Head

Just a week ago, Golden State was in total control. Up 3-1, with all the momentum and a wealth of playoff experience to lean on, the Warriors looked poised to brush aside a spirited but inexperienced Rockets squad.

But Houston never blinked.

Game 5 saw the Rockets pull off a stunner at Chase Center, quieting the San Francisco crowd with a wire-to-wire win. Game 6 was all about resilience. Golden State made their runs — as they always do — but each time, Houston answered. Whether it was a VanVleet step-back three, a Sengun post move, or a clutch stop on defense, the Rockets had an answer every time the Warriors tried to claw back in.

And now, remarkably, the series is heading back to Houston for a decisive Game 7.

Game Seven: Rockets vs Warriors – Winner Takes All

The Rockets will host Game 7 on Sunday, with a Western Conference semifinal date against the Minnesota Timberwolves awaiting the victor. The Timberwolves dispatched the Los Angeles Lakers in five games and will now watch closely to see who emerges from this slugfest.

For Houston, the opportunity is massive. Few gave them much chance in this series, especially after falling behind early. But now, they’re one win away from advancing — and doing it on their home court.

For Golden State, the pressure is now enormous. A first-round exit, especially after leading 3-1, would be a bitter pill for a franchise that’s won four championships in the last decade. If the Warriors lose on Sunday, it could mark the end of an era, with questions sure to swirl around their aging core and the team’s direction moving forward.

Momentum on Houston’s Side?

Game 7s are often about who handles the moment better. Who stays composed. Who makes the extra pass. Who wins the 50-50 balls. In recent games, Houston has shown it has the mental fortitude to match its physical talent. And with VanVleet steering the ship and young guns like Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. feeding off the energy, the Rockets have every reason to believe.

Sunday’s showdown promises drama, tension, and likely a few momentum swings. But if Game 6 was any indication, the Rockets believe they belong here — and they’re not just happy to be playing in a Game 7.

They’re here to win it.