Golden State Warriors Deliver Under Pressure, Outlast Houston in Game 4 Thriller

The words "do or die" hung heavy over Chase Center, and both teams felt it. On April 28, 2025, the Golden State Warriors managed to fend off a determined Houston Rockets squad, edging out a 109-106 victory and pushing their edge to 3-1 in the NBA Playoffs’ opening round. The game danced on a razor’s edge for all four quarters—neither team led by double digits at any point. Fans in San Francisco barely had time to breathe, as every possession felt pivotal under the playoff lights.

Houston was never willing to fold. They grabbed a 32-31 lead in the second quarter as their quick ball movement and hot 3-point shooting loosened up the Golden State defense. Dillon Brooks, known for bringing fire to big games, chipped in 13 points and pulled down 6 boards before fouling out late in the second half. Fred VanVleet orchestrated the offense, and Houston’s supporting cast powered them to a 49.4% field goal rate for the night. The Rockets dominated the glass, hauling in 41 rebounds to the Warriors' 34, keeping extra possessions alive when the stakes were highest.

But the Warriors had a secret weapon—free-throw nerves of steel. Golden State converted an astonishing 20 of their 22 free throws (90.9%), compared to Houston’s wobbly 61.3% from the line. When the Rockets’ offense started to sputter in the third, the Warriors pounced. They dropped 32 points in the quarter, using a barrage of threes and crisp passing to take the lead back. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, who have become legends for their ability to shift momentum, sparked the surge with critical buckets and defensive stands.

• Warriors: 36-for-86 from the floor, 17-for-46 from three
• Rockets: 38-for-77 overall, 11-for-23 from deep
• Free Throws: Warriors 20, Rockets 19 (but from 9 fewer attempts for Golden State)
• Rebounds: Rockets 41, Warriors 34

The margin for error vanished in the final minutes. Houston clawed back into striking distance as time ticked down, fueled by rookie scrapping and savvy passes. Golden State, sensing the moment, played keep-away and forced Houston into tough jumpers. The Rockets had a chance to force overtime but missed a contested three at the buzzer, sending the home crowd into celebration.

Houston Looks to Rally at Home, Warriors Smell Blood in the Water

With the series swinging to Houston for Game 5, the temperature is only rising. The Rockets left San Francisco frustrated but not broken. Their rebounding muscle and shooting accuracy in the paint keep them alive, but they’ll need better composure from the line and more ball movement to stay in the fight. Brooks’ foul trouble will be a storyline; he’s critical to Houston’s defensive toughness, and they feel his absence dearly.

The Warriors, meanwhile, are banking on their experience and the confidence gained from clutch free-throw shooting and late-game execution. Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins provided the hustle and defensive stops that matter when playoff basketball turns into a chess match. Steve Kerr’s lineup choices and the depth on Golden State’s bench give them room to mix things up as they look to punch their ticket to the next round.

Everyone knows a 3-1 lead isn’t an automatic ticket to the next series, but the Warriors—masters at closing out—smell blood. For Houston, Game 5 offers a shot at redemption and a fierce home crowd. The stakes have never felt bigger.