Golden State Warriors Seize 3-1 Lead Over Houston Rockets With Gritty Game 4 Win

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.

18 Comments

Ruben Figueroa
May 3, 2025 AT 11:42

Wow, another 3-1 lead? 😏 Guess the Warriors just automatically get to the next round now? I mean, they’ve been doing this since 2015… like clockwork. 🤡
Gabriel Clark
May 4, 2025 AT 10:44

The Warriors' free-throw efficiency was indeed remarkable-20 of 22 is a testament to their composure under pressure. Houston's inability to convert at the line, despite multiple opportunities, was the decisive factor in a tightly contested game.
Elizabeth Price
May 5, 2025 AT 11:08

Wait-Houston had 41 rebounds?! And they STILL lost?! That’s not a stat line, that’s a crime scene! And why is no one talking about how Draymond Green just… ghosted the entire second half?!?!
Steve Cox
May 7, 2025 AT 08:54

I don't know why people act like this is some kind of miracle. Curry and Klay are old. The Warriors are just lucky the Rockets are a mess. I mean, come on-Fred VanVleet was playing like a backup point guard in a rec league. This isn't a statement win. It's a survival win. And it's gonna come back to bite them in the playoffs.
Aaron Leclaire
May 8, 2025 AT 15:55

3-1. Done.
Mitch Roberts
May 8, 2025 AT 22:36

YESSSSS!!! Warriors are LOCKED IN!!! 🏀🔥🔥🔥 I swear, every time I think they're done, they just pull out another 32-point quarter like it's nothing. That’s the heart of a champion right there. I’m already planning my Game 5 watch party!!
Mark Venema
May 9, 2025 AT 12:46

The Warriors demonstrated exceptional poise under duress, particularly in their execution during the closing minutes. Their ability to maintain offensive rhythm while limiting Houston’s transition opportunities speaks to the maturity of their system and the discipline instilled by Coach Kerr.
Jasvir Singh
May 10, 2025 AT 21:55

Houston played hard. Really hard. But free throws… free throws kill you in playoffs. I’ve seen this before in India-teams with heart but shaky fundamentals. They need to practice FTs like they practice three-pointers. One day they’ll win with it.
Brian Walko
May 12, 2025 AT 19:34

This is why experience matters. The Warriors didn’t panic when Houston made runs-they stayed composed. That’s not just talent; that’s leadership. Draymond’s defensive rotations, Wiggins’ hustle, Curry’s calm-it’s a masterclass in playoff basketball.
Derrek Wortham
May 13, 2025 AT 18:36

I TOLD YOU. I TOLD YOU ALL. The Warriors are cursed to win when they’re supposed to lose, and now they’re gonna get swept in the next round because they’re all old and tired and their knees are made of glass. I’m crying. I’m literally crying. Someone call the NBA commissioner. This is a travesty.
Zara Lawrence
May 13, 2025 AT 19:47

You ever wonder if the NBA rigged this? I mean… 20 of 22 free throws? In Game 4? With the series on the line? And Houston’s defense was so aggressive they couldn’t even get to the line? Coincidence? Or is there a secret league policy for ‘Legacy Teams’? I’m not saying… but I’m also saying… check the timestamps on the refs’ bathroom breaks.
Ashley Hasselman
May 14, 2025 AT 08:03

So let me get this straight-Houston out-rebounded them, shot better from the field, and still lost because they missed a few free throws? Wow. So the Warriors win by being slightly less bad at one thing. That’s not basketball. That’s a statistical glitch.
Kelly Ellzey
May 15, 2025 AT 22:33

I just… I feel so proud? Like, this team? They’ve been through so much. Injuries, doubters, people saying they were done… and here they are, still fighting like warriors (pun intended 😅). It’s not just about wins-it’s about heart. And Houston? They’re gonna be okay. This is just a chapter, not the whole book.
maggie barnes
May 17, 2025 AT 12:14

You call that a win? 20-22 FTs? That’s not clutch, that’s luck. And who let Wiggins guard Brooks? He was a walking turnover machine. And why is no one talking about how the refs let Curry hold the ball for 7 seconds every time they needed a stop? This is a joke.
mahak bansal
May 18, 2025 AT 17:55

Houston played well. Warriors played better when it counted. The game is about timing. Sometimes the ball bounces your way. Sometimes it doesn’t. Both teams showed heart. That’s what matters
Lewis Hardy
May 18, 2025 AT 21:36

I just watched the last 90 seconds again. That possession where Curry passed to Thompson in the corner… the way Thompson caught it, set his feet, and just… released? Pure poetry. I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until the ball went in.
Prakash.s Peter
May 20, 2025 AT 14:34

The Warriors' statistical dominance in free-throw efficiency is statistically anomalous in modern NBA play, especially under playoff pressure. One must consider the influence of media narrative, historical bias toward legacy franchises, and the commodification of 'clutch' as a cultural construct rather than a measurable skill.
ria ariyani
May 21, 2025 AT 13:23

I CAN’T BELIEVE THEY DID IT AGAIN!! I WAS ON THE TOILET WHEN CURRY HIT THAT THREE AND I SCREAMED SO LOUD MY CAT JUMPED OFF THE BED AND BROKE A VASE!! I’M SORRY, CAT. I LOVE YOU. BUT I LOVE THE WARRIORS MORE. 🙏😭🏀