Steph Curry leads Warriors past Rockets in Game 7 thriller

Golden State survives Houston’s comeback to win Game 7 and advance to face Minnesota, with Curry and Buddy Hield stepping up under pressure.

Draymond Green, right, celebrates with Stephen Curry after their Game 7 victory. Photo by Ashley Landis/AP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

In a postseason where the end always seems near, Steph Curry leads the Warriors once again, proving that the Golden State dynasty still has breath left. On Sunday night in Houston, the Warriors delivered a gritty Game 7 road win over the second-seeded Rockets, sealing their place in the Western Conference semifinals with a 112–97 victory. The win extends the postseason for a team whose championship core continues to defy age and adversity.

Golden State now faces a formidable challenge in the next round: a rested and surging Minnesota Timberwolves squad, led by the fearless Anthony Edwards. The series begins Tuesday night, and for fans of Curry and the Warriors, the spotlight stays on—for at least one more round.

Curry struggles early, but delivers late

For much of the game, Steph Curry leads Warriors didn’t look like it would be the headline. The 37-year-old superstar struggled early, registering only three points in the first half and missing multiple open looks. Houston’s defensive strategy was clear—make Curry uncomfortable. And for a time, it worked.

However, as he has done so many times over the past decade, Curry found his rhythm in the second half. After a pair of acrobatic reverse layups ignited the crowd—even in enemy territory—Curry’s confidence returned. He finished the game with 22 points and seven assists, many of them coming when the Warriors needed them most.

“When he’s off, he’s really off,” said head coach Steve Kerr. “But when he’s on, there’s nobody like him.”

Buddy Hield takes over scoring duties

Curry wasn’t alone in carrying the load. Buddy Hield, acquired midseason, delivered the best game of his playoff career, dropping 33 points and draining nine 3-pointers. Hield found the cracks in Houston’s high-pressure defense, capitalizing on the extra attention Curry drew.

Every time Houston sent help to double Curry near the perimeter, Hield waited in the corners, ready to punish them. His shot selection was precise, and his confidence was infectious. By the fourth quarter, when the game slipped away from the Rockets, Hield had already done most of the damage.

“Steph creates everything,” said Hield postgame. “But I was ready for my moment.”

Jimmy Butler provides playoff grit

Another key contributor was Jimmy Butler, who scored 20 points and anchored the team defensively. Butler, known for his playoff poise, played with the intensity and control that earned him the nickname “Playoff Jimmy.” He hit timely shots, made smart decisions in transition, and even drew a pair of charges that swung momentum.

The midseason trade that brought Butler to San Francisco has proven to be a game-changer. While his numbers haven’t always been explosive, his presence has helped stabilize a Warriors team prone to inconsistency.

The Warriors dig deep

This is not the dominant Golden State team of past years. They had to scratch their way into the playoffs via the play-in tournament, and their roster is a strange blend of veterans and untested players. Many of their contributors are either past their prime or just beginning to find their way in the league.

But what the Warriors lack in youth, they make up for in experience. In Game 7, that experience showed.

Houston had all the energy—young legs, home court, and momentum after coming back from a 3–1 series deficit. But when the pressure peaked, it was Golden State that executed with poise. They closed the game on a 21–6 run, capped by Curry’s no-look assist to Hield in the corner for a dagger three. Moments later, Curry trotted back down the floor and dropped into his now-iconic “Night Night” celebration—hands pressed together, miming sleep.

Obnoxious? Maybe. But it's Steph Curry. He’s earned it.

Houston’s youthful energy falls short

For the Rockets, the loss was a cruel end to a promising season. Their young core showed resilience, toughness, and at times, brilliance. But they lacked the polish and decision-making necessary to close out veteran opponents.

In Game 7, their offense stalled when it mattered most. Golden State’s switching defense denied driving lanes and forced contested jumpers. While Houston’s defense kept them in the game through three quarters, they simply couldn’t match Golden State’s closing power.

Coach Ime Udoka summed it up bluntly: “We had our chance. But they made more plays down the stretch.”

A tough road ahead for Golden State

With Houston behind them, the Warriors now turn their focus to Minnesota. The Timberwolves present a vastly different challenge—length, speed, and versatility at nearly every position. Edwards has emerged as one of the league’s brightest young stars, and his confidence is sky-high after dispatching the Lakers with ease.

Golden State will face serious size mismatches. Minnesota’s twin-tower frontcourt of Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert could feast on the smaller Warriors. Curry, Hield, and Butler will need help from the bench—particularly from players like Jonathan Kuminga and Kevon Looney—to survive the physicality and depth of the Timberwolves.

Yet, it would be foolish to count out Golden State. This team knows how to win when the lights are brightest. Steve Kerr remains one of the league’s sharpest playoff tacticians, unafraid to shuffle rotations and experiment mid-series.

The Curry effect endures

As always, the Warriors’ fate will largely rest on Steph Curry’s shoulders. Every defensive scheme begins and ends with him. Even when he’s not scoring, Curry bends the court in ways no other player can. His movement, gravity, and clutch shooting open doors for teammates who wouldn’t otherwise get those chances.

Against Houston, it was clear: Steph Curry leads Warriors, even when the box score suggests otherwise. He creates space, draws defenders, and makes plays few others dare to attempt.

As fans watch Curry at 37 years old continue to thrive, the looming question persists—how much longer can this go on?

There will be a time when the Warriors fade, when Curry finally slows, and when the lights dim on the most entertaining show in modern basketball.

But not today. Not yet.

And as long as Curry leads, the Warriors are never out.