Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
Then, they lost Game 2 of their first-round playoff matchup with the Houston Rockets.
Butler left the first quarter of a 109-94 loss at Toyota Center after landing on his tailbone when he secured a contested defensive rebound. Houston wing Amen Thompson undercut Butler’s legs, prompting a painful landing for Golden State’s star wing. Questionable pregame with a stomach illness, Golden State’s starting guard Brandin Podziemski also left the game in the first half — returning to play in the third quarter.
Article continues below this ad
Game 3 is Saturday at Chase Center.
Again the target of aggressive coverage that included handsy holds and grabs, Stephen Curry had a team highs of 20 points and nine assists for the Warriors. Jonathan Kuminga had 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting for Golden State, playing for the first time since April 11.
Jalen Green led the Rockets with 38 points, eight 3-pointers and six assists. Star big man Alperen Sengün added 17 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists.
Golden State was outrebounded 47-33, shooting 41.3% from the field while committing 15 turnovers. As physical play crescendoed in the second half, benches cleared midway through the fourth quarter.
Article continues below this ad
Several reviews and stoppages in play extended the game to nearly three hours.
The Warriors expected additional physicality Wednesday from the younger, athletic and defense-minded Rockets after a 95-85 victory Sunday in the series opener at Toyota Center. Their expectations were promptly met amid a 9-4 first-quarter deficit. Houston harassed the perimeter defensively, switching screening actions and denying drives as a sellout crowd roared again in red.
The Rockets spaced their offense around Green and Sengün, cutting for baskets when they got into the paint. Butler checked out with 6:41 in the first quarter after playing 16 seconds through obvious pain.
The physical play was so conspicuous, head coach Steve Kerr called a timeout to excoriate the officials a couple possessions after Gary Payton II rolled to the basket and tripped without a defensive foul.
Article continues below this ad
Sans Butler, the Warriors played 12 in the first half as they sought a spark. Reserve guard Pat Spencer provided it with nine second-quarter points, puncturing the paint and banking in a triple.
Golden State trailed 60-46 at halftime after a 22-point barrage — including back-to-back 3-pointers from Curry — in the final 1:57.
Offense opened in the third quarter as Green attacked for 15 points in the quarter. Quinten Post and Draymond Green made two 3-pointers apiece for Golden State, which used a zone defense to slow dribble penetration. A rolling finish from Kevon Looney pulled the Warriors within 11 late at 1:11. But Jabari Smith Jr. answered with a 3-pointer after Houston called timeout. Green turned a turnover into a one-handed dunk and followed a 3-pointer from Curry with his sixth 3-pointer.
An 87-71 deficit atop the fourth quarter swelled to 20 before Curry checked in for an 8-0 — including two 3-pointers from Post — run and a 91-79 deficit with 7:56 to play. Houston’s Green hit Golden State’s Green with a forearm in the face for a flagrant foul.
Article continues below this ad
Green split the free throws and drew a technical foul on the ensuing possession after shoving Sengün. Houston’s Green followed with his seventh 3-pointer. The crowd followed with chants of “F— you Draymond!” as Kerr called timeout down 19 with 5:23 to play. Benches emptied as Green jawed with the Rockets.
Curry checked out with 3:40 to play. Houston’s Tari Eason and Amen Thompson and Spencer also were assessed technical fouls.
