Drama Unfolds in Houston as Rockets Topple Warriors in NBA Cup Thriller

Drama Unfolds in Houston as Rockets Topple Warriors in NBA Cup Thriller

HOUSTON—Well, folks, what a wild ride that was! The Houston Rockets are officially moving on to the semifinals of the NBA Cup, and just wait until you hear how it all went down. Buckle your seatbelts because this game had everything: an epic showdown, some serious defensive moves, and a finish that had the crowd buzzing and the opposing team fuming.

The Setup

Last night, the Rockets faced off against the Golden State Warriors, and if you’ve been following their history, you know it hasn’t been pretty for Houston—15 consecutive losses to these guys dating back to February 2020. But the Rockets came into this game with a fresh vibe, sporting a 16-8 record and boasting the second-best defensive ranking in the league. They were ready, and the chance to snap that pesky losing streak was the cherry on top for the fans.

A Defensive Masterclass

The first half of the game was like a defensive clinic put on by the Rockets. They absolutely clamped down on the Warriors, who found themselves in a real struggle as they trudged into halftime down 44-37. Golden State shot just 16-of-42 and a miserable 4-of-22 from three-point range. Their 10 turnovers by intermission had to have Warriors’ fans shaking their heads in disbelief.

Warriors Strike Back

But hey, you can’t count out the Warriors, right? They made their moves in the second half, and with just over two minutes to go, they had flipped the script and taken a 90-84 lead. But the Rockets weren’t about to back down so easily.

The Final Drama

As the clock wound down, the tension reached a breaking point. With just 27 seconds left, Alperen Şengün pulled off a slick layup that cut the Warriors’ lead to just one point. Then, a potential game-winner from Stephen Curry rimmed out, and it looked like the Warriors had clinched the game with a robust rebound from Gary Payton II. Or so we thought.

In an astonishing twist, Payton attempted a pass while lying on the court, which resulted in the ball landing in the hands of Rockets’ star Jalen Green. He was quickly fouled, and since Houston had already entered the bonus, he was sent to the free-throw line for two crucial shots.

Controversy Strikes

Now, here’s where things got really spicy. Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr couldn’t believe his eyes. He raged about the call afterwards, insisting that the foul that ultimately changed the game shouldn’t have even been a foul, let alone a call made under such high-pressure circumstances. “A loose-ball situation, 80 feet from the basket, with the game on the line. I’ve never seen that,” he said, clearly still steaming after the game.

Color us surprised that after waiting so long for a chance to win, that kind of call could thwart their comeback dreams!

The Clutch Moment

Once Houston got to the line, Jalen Green made both his free throws, taking a 91-90 lead. The Warriors had one last chance, but Brandin Podziemski’s attempt at a miracle shot was blocked, sending the Rockets and their fans into a frenzy.

History Made

For Houston, this game was monumental. No longer are they just a footnote on the Warriors’ winning streak; they’ve proven they can hang with the best, even against former playoff foes. With this win, they’ll now face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who beat the Dallas Mavericks the night before, in Las Vegas on Saturday. Can you say “road trip?”

As the dust settled in Houston, the sense of victory was palpable, but for Golden State, it was a bitter pill to swallow. Their championship dreams took a hit due to a series of unfortunate events, and it’ll be interesting to see how they bounce back.

For now, though, the Rockets are dancing their way to the semifinals, and fans couldn’t be prouder. Hats off to Houston for pulling off this stunning upset!