Thunder’s preferred matchup: Clippers or Nuggets?
For The Hoops crew discuss whether the Thunder would prefer to face the Clippers or Nuggets in the second round of the NBA playoffs
The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs continues with Game 6 between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets on Friday. The Warriors currently lead the series 3-2.
The Rockets, led by the outstanding performances of Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson, overcame a 3-1 deficit and survived elimination with a 131-116 victory in Game 5, extending the series. VanVleet led Houston with 26 points, while Thompson contributed 25 points, five steals and three blocks to secure the win.
Despite the loss, Moses Moody’s performance was one of the only positive aspects for the Warriors as he came off the bench to lead with 25 points. However, it was an off night for Steph Curry, who finished with only 13 points and seven assists.
Now, with the series shifting back to the Chase Center in San Francisco, the anticipation for Game 6 of the first-round series between the Warriors and Rockets is palpable. Follow along with USA TODAY Sports for live updates and highlights:
The Rockets and the Warriors have kept the game close through the first three quarters of play.
The Warriors outscored the Rockets 36-33, but it’s Houston that held the lead at the end of each quarter so far.
Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler are not only the two leading scorers for the Warriors but for the game so far. Curry has scored 26 points while shooting 8-of-16 from the field. Butler has produced 22 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 20 points while shooting 5-of-8 from the field but has been effective from long range, making four of five attempts. VanVleet has also made all six free throw attempts.
Jalen Green continues to be a non-factor, being limited to just two points in the third quarter.
Adams missed the entire 2023-24 season after undergoing surgery on his PCL, but returned to the court in the 2024-25 season averaging 3.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 58 games this season (three starts). He’s averaging 19.6 minutes through the first five games of the playoffs, with 4.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
The Rockets built a lead as large as 11 in the second quarter, but the Warriors are also playing with a sense of urgency with the intention of finishing the series at home.
The Warriors have not held a lead larger than two points in the first half.
Fred VanVleet leads the Rockets with 10 points as Houston takes a five-point lead into the locker room for halftime. It’s been a slow start for Jalen Green, who has shot 2-of-8 from the field and finished the second quarter with seven points.
Stephen Curry has a game-high 16 points for the Warriors, but finished the first half with three fouls.
The Warriors produced an 11-0 run to close the gap and tied the game at 46 with three minutes left in the half before the Rockets went on an 8-2 scoring run of their own to end the quarter.
Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet each scored eight points for the Rockets in the first quarter. The Rockets find themselves in a win-or-go-home situation tonight.
Jimmy Butler leads the Warriors with six points. Stephen Curry added five points.
The Rockets won the turnover battle in the opening period 5-3.
Şengün averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 76 games (all starts) this season. Through the first five playoff games, Şengün is averaging a double-double, with 20.8 points and 11 rebounds, in addition to 5.2 assists. His best performance came in Houston’s Game 4 loss against the Warriors after he dropped 31 points and 10 rebounds.
Gary Payton II is in the starting lineup tonight for the Golden State Warriors, replacing Brandin Podziemski. Veterans Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield are back in the lineup after starting in Game 5.
Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson make up the starting lineup for the Houston Rockets tonight in Game 6.
What time is Warriors vs. Rockets?
Game 6 between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors will tip-off at 9 p.m. ET on May 2 at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.
How to watch Warriors vs. Rockets playoff game: TV, stream
- Time: 9. PM and
- Location: Chase Center (San Francisco, California)
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: Sling TV
Warriors vs. Rockets NBA playoff schedule, results
Warriors lead series 2-1
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