Golden State Tops Rockets 109-106 as Butler Shines Bright

Golden State Tops Rockets 109-106 as Butler Shines Bright Tezzbuzz | Wed, 30 Apr 2025 05:51:12

Golden State Tops Rockets 109-106 as Butler Shines Bright/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jimmy Butler returned from injury to score 27 points and lead the Warriors past the Rockets 109-106 in a tense Game 4. Golden State now holds a 3-1 series lead heading back to Houston. The game saw multiple technical fouls and a furious finish, with Butler hitting clutch free throws.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, confronts Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Monday, April 28, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Jimmy Butler Powers Warriors: Quick Looks

Butler scores 27 points after missing Game 3.

Warriors edge Rockets 109-106 for 3-1 series lead.

Fred VanVleet misses a last-second three-pointer.

Brandin Podziemski adds 26 points; Curry scores 17.

Alperen Sengun leads Rockets with 31 points, 10 rebounds.

Game 5 shifts back to Houston Wednesday night.

Multiple technicals, flagrant foul mark heated second quarter.

Butler seals game with late free throws and a rebound.

Referees and players try to break up the scrum as a fight broke out in the second quarter as the Golden State Warriors played the Houston Rockets during an NBA Playoffs’ First Round Game 4 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Monday, April 28, 2025.(Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Golden State Tops Rockets 109-106 as Butler Shines Bright

Deep Look

Jimmy Butler Returns to Power Warriors Over Rockets for 3-1 Series Lead

SAN FRANCISCO — Jimmy Butler came back just in time to make a difference.

Returning from a pelvic injury that sidelined him in Game 3, Butler scored 27 points, nailed crucial free throws in the final minute, and secured the game-clinching rebound to lead the Golden State Warriors to a narrow 109-106 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday night. The win puts Golden State ahead 3-1 in their first-round playoff series.

Fred VanVleet had a chance to extend the game but missed a contested three-pointer at the buzzer.

Clutch Performance and a Heated Battle

Butler, who suffered a pelvic contusion and deep gluteal bruise in Game 2 after a hard foul by Amen Thompson, returned with purpose. He shot 7 of 12 from the field in 40 minutes and calmly converted two sets of pressure-packed free throws in the final minute.

Brandin Podziemski complemented Butler’s effort with 26 pointswhile Stephen Curry — who was at the center of multiple skirmishes — added 17 points. Buddy Hield, inserted into the starting lineup, contributed 15 points including a critical go-ahead three-pointer with 3:32 remaining.

Alperen Sengun led Houston with 31 points and 10 rebounds, and VanVleet added 25, including a game-tying triple with 1:20 left. But it wasn’t enough.

Tempers Flare in Second Quarter

Tensions boiled over multiple times in the second quarter. A collision between Curry, Draymond Green, and Dillon Brooks resulted in three technical fouls — one each for Curry, Brooks, and Green. Moments later, Green earned a Flagrant 1 foul after pushing Tari Eason’s face into the court during a scramble for a loose ball.

Despite the physicality, Golden State kept their composure, using timely defense and Butler’s leadership to escape with the win.

What’s Next

The series shifts back to Houston for Game 5 on Wednesday, with the Warriors looking to close out the Rockets and avoid an extended series.

Butler’s gritty return could prove the pivotal turning point as Golden State seeks another deep playoff run.