Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors faced a disappointing loss in Game 6 of their playoff series against the Houston Rockets, falling short in the final quarter and ultimately losing 115-107. In the aftermath of the defeat, Mariah Rose, daughter of former Pistons star Jalen Rose, pointed out that the absence of Klay Thompson may have been a factor in the team’s performance.
Thompson has a reputation for delivering standout performances in Game 6s, such as his memorable 11 3-pointers against OKC in the 2016 playoffs and a 35-point explosion against the Rockets in 2018. The Warriors sorely missed a performance like that as Curry and Butler lacked significant support. Curry struggled in the fourth quarter, only managing to score three points on 1-for-7 shooting.
Moses Moody contributed 13 points on 13 shots, while Brandin Podziemski added 10 points on 9 attempts. However, the offensive support beyond that was minimal. Draymond Green put up eight points, five rebounds, and seven assists, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide in the final quarter, where the Warriors were outscored 29-23.
Thompson had joined the Dallas Mavericks in the offseason, forming a star trio with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Despite transitioning to a supporting role after the Doncic trade, Thompson played in 72 games this season, averaging 14.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while maintaining good health compared to Dallas’ other stars.
The Warriors had initially led the series 3-1 but faltered in back-to-back games, prompting memories of their infamous collapse in the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers after blowing a 3-1 lead.
In Game 6, the Rockets secured a crucial victory with strong performances from their starting unit and an effective double-big lineup featuring Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams. This frontcourt duo helped Houston dominate the boards with a 62-51 rebounding advantage and control the paint with a 42-32 scoring edge. Sengun recorded an impressive stat line of 21 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and a plus-7 rating, while Adams contributed 17 points, five rebounds, three blocks, and a plus-15 rating.
Fred VanVleet stepped up with 29 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while Amen Thompson and Jalen Green added 14 and 12 points, respectively. Despite their contributions, both players struggled with efficiency.
The stage is now set for Game 7 on Houston’s home court, with the winner advancing to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals. The outcome of the upcoming game will be crucial for both teams as they vie for a spot in the next round of the playoffs.
