Draymond Green’s Late Heroics Lead Warriors to 109-106 Win Over Rockets, Putting Them One Game Away from Series Victory

In a thrilling Game 4 of the NBA playoffs on Monday night, the Golden State Warriors narrowly escaped a major setback thanks to Draymond Green’s late-game performance. Despite a couple of heated moments that nearly led to his ejection, Green and his Warriors teammates secured a hard-fought 109-106 victory over the Houston Rockets, extending their series lead to 3-1.

With the win, the Warriors are just one game away from advancing to the Western Conference semifinals. Game 5 is set for Wednesday in Houston, where Golden State has a chance to officially close out the series.

A Chaotic First Half Featuring Draymond Green’s Heated Confrontations

The game was anything but smooth in the first half, as tensions boiled over between Draymond Green and the Rockets. In the second quarter, Green and Stephen Curry were involved in a confrontation with Houston’s Dillon Brooks. After Green set a hard screen on Amen Thompson, Brooks sent Curry crashing to the floor with a hip check. Curry retaliated by taunting Brooks, who then tried to grab the ball out of Curry’s hands, sparking a scuffle. All three players—Curry, Green, and Brooks—were assessed technical fouls.

However, the drama didn’t end there. Just minutes later, Green was involved in another altercation, this time with Rockets forward Tari Eason. After a battle for a loose ball, Green fell on top of Eason and kicked him in the head. Though the altercation was less severe, Green was hit with a flagrant foul, avoiding an automatic ejection. The incident mirrored the fiery exchange between Green and Rockets guard Jalen Green following Game 3 on Saturday, highlighting the building animosity between the teams.

Warriors Surge in Second Half, Powered by Jimmy Butler

After a frustrating first half that saw the Rockets take a seven-point lead, the Warriors turned the game around with a dominant third quarter. They opened the second half on an 18-1 run, which included a stretch where Houston missed six consecutive shots from the field. The Warriors’ defense stepped up, and despite another chippy Green foul, Golden State managed to hold onto a slim two-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

With the game still in the balance, Jimmy Butler turned into the hero for the Warriors. Despite dealing with a pelvic contusion that caused him to miss Game 3, Butler delivered a clutch performance in the final period, scoring 14 of his game-high 27 points. His free throws after a drawn foul on a three-point attempt helped secure the Warriors’ lead, giving them the edge they needed in the final minutes.

Rockets’ Last-Second Miss, Butler’s Free Throws Seal Warriors’ Victory

In the closing moments, the Rockets had one final chance to take the lead when Alperen Şengün had an open jumper with Green defending. The shot was off the mark, and Butler grabbed the rebound before hitting two crucial free throws to seal the 109-106 victory for the Warriors.

Şengün was the standout player for Houston, finishing with 31 points and 10 rebounds. Fred VanVleet also impressed with 26 points, including eight three-pointers, but the Rockets’ inability to convert from the free-throw line (19-of-31) hurt them in the end.

Alongside Butler’s heroics, Brandin Podziemski added 26 points for the Warriors, and Stephen Curry contributed 17 points, three assists, and three rebounds. The win puts Golden State in a strong position heading into Game 5, with the Rockets now facing elimination.

What’s Next for the Warriors and Rockets in the NBA Playoffs

With the Warriors now holding a commanding 3-1 series lead, they will travel to Houston for Game 5, where they can clinch their spot in the Western Conference semifinals. However, considering the fiery rivalry that has developed between the two teams, Wednesday’s game promises to be another intense and highly contested matchup.

Green, despite his earlier near-ejection, helped lead the Warriors to victory with crucial defense down the stretch. With Butler playing at an elite level and the team’s depth shining through, Golden State is in a prime position to finish off the Rockets and advance further in the playoffs.