Fred VanVleet Shines as Houston Rockets Force Game 7 with Win Over Warriors

 Fred VanVleet Shines as Houston Rockets Force Game 7 with Win Over Warriors

Fred VanVleet delivered a clutch four-point play to open the fourth quarter, swinging the momentum back in favor of the Houston Rockets just as Stephen Curry was heating up.

VanVleet’s timely shot helped propel the Rockets to a 115-107 victory over the Golden State Warriors, evening their NBA Playoff first-round series at 3-3 and setting up a decisive Game 7 in Houston on Sunday.

VanVleet’s All-Around Performance Fuels Rockets

• Fred VanVleet: 29 points, 8 assists, 8 rebounds
• Converted a pivotal four-point play early in the 4th quarter
• Shot 7-of-13 from the field, 6-of-9 from three, and 9-of-9 at the free-throw line
• Has made 22 straight free throws in the series
• 18-for-27 from three-point range over the past three games

Supporting Cast Steps Up for Houston

• Alperen Sengun: 21 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists
• Steven Adams: 17 points, multiple key hustle plays off the bench
• Jalen Green: Crucial putback and 12 points total
• Rockets showed resilience on both ends of the floor, responding to every Golden State run

Warriors Go Cold Down the Stretch

• Golden State missed 13 straight shots during a critical 4th-quarter stretch
• Stephen Curry scored 29 points (9-of-23 shooting, 6-of-16 from three)
• Jimmy Butler added 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists
• The Warriors couldn’t capitalize on the momentum gained late in the third quarter
• Missed opportunity to close out the series at Chase Center

All Eyes on Game 7 in Houston

• Game 7 takes place Sunday in Houston
• Winner advances to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals
• Rockets coach Ime Udoka is now 5-1 in elimination games
• Warriors head coach Steve Kerr remains undefeated (7-0) in first-round playoff series