Rating Warriors Players vs. Rockets: Curry’s Offense Is Not Enough In Shocking Game 6 Loss

The Golden State Warriors let a golden chance slip away on their home floor Friday night, falling 115-107 to the Houston Rockets in Game 6 and squandering an opportunity to close out their first-round series. Despite 29 points from Stephen Curry, the Warriors went ice-cold when it mattered most, missing 13 consecutive shots during a disastrous fourth-quarter stretch that allowed Houston to seize control. 

Curry, who shot just 9 of 23 overall and 6 of 16 from deep, couldn’t rescue Golden State this time as the Rockets’ balanced attack and late-game poise forced a deciding Game 7 back in Houston.

Golden State had clawed back from an early deficit, trimming Houston’s lead to just two points at the end of the third quarter after a flurry from Curry electrified the Chase Center crowd. His driving layup and free throws had the Warriors within 86-84, appearing poised to complete another signature postseason comeback. But the offense stalled out in the final period. 

The Warriors didn’t score for nearly seven minutes, watching the Rockets surge ahead behind Fred VanVleet’s hot shooting and timely buckets from Jalen Green and Steven Adams. By the time Curry broke the drought with a three-pointer at the 3:35 mark, Houston had built an insurmountable cushion.

The loss capped a frustrating night for Golden State, which saw Jimmy Butler post 27 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists against them while VanVleet torched their defense with a near triple-double. Draymond Green moved past Isiah Thomas for 15th on the NBA’s all-time playoff assists list, but his night was marred by an early flagrant foul and the Warriors’ inability to generate stops or consistent offense late. 

Golden State, which once held a 3-1 series lead, now faces the pressure of a Game 7 on the road — a scenario they had hoped to avoid, especially with a second-round matchup against the well-rested Minnesota Timberwolves looming.

Stephen Curry: A

Stats: 29 PTS, 7 REB (1 OREB, 6 DREB), 2 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 5 TO, 4 PF, 9-23 FG, 6-16 3PT, 5-6 FT, -11, 42 MIN

Curry led the Warriors with 29 points and hit six threes, but struggled down the stretch when the offense collapsed in the fourth. Despite his scoring, the five turnovers and missed looks in crunch time reflected Golden State’s late-game woes.

Jimmy Butler III: A

Stats: 27 PTS, 9 REB (2 OREB, 7 DREB), 8 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 7-17 FG, 1-6 3PT, 12-14 FT, -12, 42 MIN

Butler was relentless in attacking the rim, piling up 27 points while flirting with a triple-double in 42 minutes of action. His physicality and ability to draw fouls (12-for-14 at the line) kept Houston afloat during Golden State’s third-quarter surge.

Moses Moody: B

Stats: 13 PTS, 2 REB (1 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 5-13 FG, 3-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, -16, 22 MIN

Moody provided a spark with 13 points and hit three triples, helping space the floor during Golden State’s third-quarter rally. However, his shot faded in the fourth and his defensive lapses showed against Houston’s guards.

Jonathan Kuminga: B

Stats: 10 PTS, 7 REB (3 OREB, 4 DREB), 3 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 3 PF, 4-9 FG, 2-6 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 29 MIN

Kuminga chipped in 10 points and seven boards, showing flashes of his athleticism on the offensive glass and in transition. Still, he struggled to finish through contact and couldn’t provide the defensive stops late that Golden State desperately needed.

Draymond Green: C

Stats: 8 PTS, 5 REB (2 OREB, 3 DREB), 7 AST, 0 STL, 3 BLK, 4 TO, 3 PF, 3-8 FG, 1-4 3PT, 1-2 FT, -8, 37 MIN

Green’s playmaking was solid with seven assists, but his night was overshadowed by an early flagrant foul and costly turnovers. His energy on defense was there, but he couldn’t anchor enough stops when Houston made their final push.

Gary Payton II: C-

Stats: 5 PTS, 3 REB (0 OREB, 3 DREB), 1 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 2-5 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, -12, 20 MIN

Payton brought his usual defensive hustle, but his five points and 1-for-4 mark from deep didn’t do much to help Golden State’s sputtering offense. He struggled to stay impactful on either end during the Warriors’ cold stretch in the fourth.

Quinten Post: C-

Stats: 5 PTS, 1 REB (1 OREB, 0 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 5 PF, 2-6 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, -9, 18 MIN

Post gave brief minutes of effort, scoring five points and adding a steal while battling inside. However, his five fouls in 18 minutes hurt the Warriors’ rotation and limited his ability to stay on the floor in key stretches.

Buddy Hield: D

Stats: 0 PTS, 3 REB (2 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 4 PF, 0-4 FG, 0-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 17 MIN

Hield had a rough night, going scoreless on 0-for-4 shooting and contributing little else in his 17 minutes. His shooting slump has been a major factor in Golden State’s offensive inconsistency this series.

Pat Spencer: N/A

Stats: 6 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 3-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +7, 2 MIN

Spencer made the most of garbage time, scoring six points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting in just two minutes. His brief run gave the home crowd a rare late highlight on an otherwise frustrating night.

Kevon Looney: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 2 REB (1 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -1, 2 MIN

Looney grabbed two rebounds in two minutes but didn’t have enough time to make an impact. He remained anchored to the bench for most of the game as Steve Kerr leaned small against Houston’s spread attack.

Braxton Key: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +7, 2 MIN

Key checked in late and recorded a steal during his short stint, bringing some defensive activity. He didn’t attempt a shot but gave the Warriors a hustle play in otherwise empty minutes.

Kevin Knox II: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +7, 2 MIN

Knox only logged two minutes and committed a turnover, failing to make much of an impression. His role has diminished as the series has tightened.

Trayce Jackson-Davis: N/A

Stats: 2 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +7, 2 MIN

Jackson-Davis scored two points and grabbed two rebounds in garbage time, showing some fight even in limited action. His energy and efficiency in short spurts remain a bright spot for the future.

Gui Santos: N/A

Stats: 2 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +7, 2 MIN

Santos contributed a bucket and an assist during mop-up duty, making the most of his two minutes. His developmental flashes are promising, even if he’s not in the main rotation yet.