Mon May 05 03:00:00 UTC 2025: **Warriors Advance to Western Conference Semifinals After Game 7 Victory Over Rockets**

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Buddy Hield’s record-breaking performance propelled the Golden State Warriors to a 103-89 victory over the Houston Rockets in a thrilling Game 7 on Sunday night, securing their advancement to the Western Conference semifinals. Hield exploded for 33 points, including a Game 7 record nine three-pointers, leading the Warriors early before Stephen Curry took over in the fourth quarter with 14 of his 22 points.

Despite trailing the series 3-2, the Warriors displayed resilience, overcoming a Game 6 shutout by Hield and a lackluster first half from Curry. Kerr praised Hield’s “two-way performance,” highlighting his exceptional defense in addition to his offensive outburst. Curry added 10 rebounds and seven assists to the winning effort.

The win marks the seventh time a No. 7 seed has reached the conference semifinals, and it’s the fifth time the Warriors have eliminated the Rockets in the playoffs. Draymond Green, referencing Fred VanVleet’s pre-series comments that this Rockets team wasn’t comparable to previous iterations, emphasized that the Warriors enjoy playing in Houston and have a strong history of success against the franchise.

The Rockets, led by Amen Thompson’s 24 points, fought hard, forcing a Game 7 with two consecutive wins, but ultimately fell short. While Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun contributed, their overall performances were inconsistent, and the team struggled from beyond the arc. Fred VanVleet, who had a stellar final two games for the Rockets, was held to 17 points in Game 7. Rockets coach Ime Udoka acknowledged the team’s opportunities but emphasized the need to learn from the experience.

The Warriors will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, playing without Gary Payton II who was sidelined due to illness. The team’s victory showcases their playoff experience and their ability to overcome adversity, setting the stage for a challenging Western Conference Semifinals matchup.

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