Wed Apr 30 22:30:00 UTC 2025: **Warriors Edge Closer to Semifinals Despite Draymond Green’s Heated Game 4**
SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors are one win away from advancing to the Western Conference semifinals after a hard-fought 109-106 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series. Despite a contentious game marked by multiple altercations involving Draymond Green, the Warriors secured a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Green was at the center of the controversy, receiving a flagrant foul and multiple technicals after two separate incidents. The first involved a scrum with Rockets’ Dillon Brooks following a hard foul on Stephen Curry. The second saw Green tangle with Tari Eason, resulting in a flagrant foul that narrowly avoided an ejection. These incidents followed a post-Game 3 altercation between Green and Jalen Green, highlighting the escalating tensions between the two teams.
Despite the early turmoil, which saw Houston hold a seven-point halftime lead, the Warriors rallied in the second half. A dominant 18-1 run to open the third quarter propelled them to a double-digit lead. While Houston mounted a comeback, the Warriors held on, with key contributions from Jimmy Butler (27 points, 6 assists), who played despite a pelvic contusion, and Brandin Podziemski (26 points). Stephen Curry added 17 points.
Houston’s Alperen Şengün led the Rockets with 31 points and 10 rebounds, while Fred VanVleet contributed 26 points, showcasing impressive long-range shooting (8-of-12 from three-point range). However, Houston’s struggles from the free-throw line (19-of-31) ultimately hampered their efforts.
The series shifts to Houston for Game 5 on Wednesday, where the Warriors will aim to close out the series. Given the intensity displayed in Game 4, another highly contested matchup is anticipated.
First Piper 