Latest news with #Rockets'
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
‘Fought with grit, heart, and determination': Steven Adams reflects on Rockets' season
'Fought with grit, heart, and determination': Steven Adams reflects on Rockets' season 'We fought with grit, heart, and determination, displaying the kind of resilience that goes beyond the court,' veteran center Steven Adams says of the 2024-25 Rockets. The 2024-25 NBA season didn't have the desired postseason ending for the Houston Rockets, but it was a largely successful one for veteran center Steven Adams. After missing all of last season due to knee surgery, Adams worked his way back into form in 2024-25 and took on a massive role in the 2025 playoffs, finishing as Houston's most impactful player (by many metrics) in its first-round series against Golden State. Days after Houston lost its winner-take-all Game 7, the 31-year-old took to Instagram to thank fans of the team. The Rockets concluded the regular season at 52-30 and No. 2 in the Western Conference, representing their best finish this decade. Via Instagram, Adams shared his thoughts on the journey: Houston, thank you. The energy, passion, and unwavering support you brought to the arena this year were nothing short of incredible. I hope we represented this city with the pride and resilience that define what it means to be a Houstonian. Going to battle with the brothers was an honor. We fought with grit, heart, and determinationdisplaying the kind of resilience that goes beyond the court. Proud of the boys and everything we learned together. Adams will be an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming 2025 offseason, though there appears to be mutual interest in a return to Houston. In seven contests against the Warriors, Adams averaged 5.7 points (60.0% FG), 6.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 22.1 minutes per game. Beyond his on-court contributions, the New Zealand native is also extremely well regarded for his leadership skills and locker-room presence. More: As free agency looms, Rockets hopeful of reunion with Steven Adams
Reuters
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Warriors-Rockets G7: Preview, Odds & Prop Picks
May 4 - The critical junctures during which the Houston Rockets stumbled in this Western Conference first-round series were routinely and rightfully chalked up to their collective playoff inexperience. But as the series extended, the Rockets settled in. A blowout victory at home in Game 5 shifted the series back to the Bay Area, and when the Golden State Warriors -- and not the Rockets -- came apart down the stretch in Game 6, it showcased just how far Houston has come in a short period. The Rockets' 115-107 victory on Friday evened the best-of-seven series and set the stage for Game 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET in Houston on Sunday. The Rockets turned an 86-84 lead entering the fourth quarter into a 17-point cushion with 4:40 left and confirmed that they were no longer nervous. "Obviously, Game 1 was full of jitters," said veteran Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, who posted 29 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in Game 6. "Game 3 was similar being on the road for the first time. Once you get that initial shock out of the way, being able to settle in and play basketball the way we've played all year and we have been one of the better teams all year. Just being able to execute and play our game at a high enough level." THE ODDS The Rockets were a consensus 2.0-point favorite as of mid-day Sunday. However, the line was holding at 2.5 at both DraftKings and BetMGM, where the Warriors had drawn 64 percent of the spread-line money while the total bets were nearly split. The Over on the low 205.5 total points line was among the most popular plays, drawing 92 percent of the money and 87 percent of the total bets since opening at 200.5. PROP PICKS --Fred VanVleet Under 17.5 Points (-115 at BetMGM): The Rockets' guard has averaged 19.0 points through the first six games of the series, and has been instrumental in Houston staying alive with 26 and 29 points in the past two games. However, VanVleet averaged only 11.3 points through the first three games of the series. --Stephen Curry Over 20 Points (-575 at DraftKings): The payout here isn't enticing, but that hasn't stopped this from being the most bet NBA player prop at the book on Sunday. Curry is averaging 24.3 points through the first six games and is coming off a 29-point effort in Golden State's Game 6 loss. You can bet Curry isn't going down without his best fight. THE NEWS At first blush, the Warriors would appear to have the advantage on Sunday. Curry and Draymond Green have played in five Game 7s each, while Jimmy Butler has participated in four. VanVleet, Steven Adams and Dillon Brooks provide playoff mettle for the Rockets, but the remainder of their core will experience their first Game 7. Emotionally, the Rockets will have a steep hill to ascend. To their benefit is a defensive might that hasn't vacated them in moments, good or bad. "Defense travels, and our awareness and physicality has improved in the series," Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. "And in general, our young guys are not really fazed by things. They just continue to play through it. They have really good veterans that steady them at times." Instead of shying away from the physical play, the Rockets have embraced it and put the Warriors on their heels. Golden State has one more chance to prove that experience matters. "Just got to meet force with force, execute the game plan," Green said. "Everybody will be excited. It will be hyped in there. It will be loud. Then the game starts, and there's just basketball. You got to execute your game plan, stay the course." THEY SAID IT "Staying together will not be an issue. This team has been connected and has been through everything. There's no question the frustration (Friday) set in. I could see it -- the body language. We can't have that. We can't afford that in Game 7. "We've got to stay tight whole way through. Like I said, I like our chances. I've seen what this group can do over the years. We've been in a lot of Game 7s, I believe, had a lot of success." --Warriors coach Steve Kerr
Miami Herald
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Warriors-Rockets G7: Preview, Odds & Prop Picks
The critical junctures during which the Houston Rockets stumbled in this Western Conference first-round series were routinely and rightfully chalked up to their collective playoff inexperience. But as the series extended, the Rockets settled in. A blowout victory at home in Game 5 shifted the series back to the Bay Area, and when the Golden State Warriors -- and not the Rockets -- came apart down the stretch in Game 6, it showcased just how far Houston has come in a short period. The Rockets' 115-107 victory on Friday evened the best-of-seven series and set the stage for Game 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET in Houston on Sunday. The Rockets turned an 86-84 lead entering the fourth quarter into a 17-point cushion with 4:40 left and confirmed that they were no longer nervous. "Obviously, Game 1 was full of jitters," said veteran Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, who posted 29 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in Game 6. "Game 3 was similar being on the road for the first time. Once you get that initial shock out of the way, being able to settle in and play basketball the way we've played all year and we have been one of the better teams all year. Just being able to execute and play our game at a high enough level." THE ODDS The Rockets were a consensus 2.0-point favorite as of mid-day Sunday. However, the line was holding at 2.5 at both DraftKings and BetMGM, where the Warriors had drawn 64 percent of the spread-line money while the total bets were nearly split. The Over on the low 205.5 total points line was among the most popular plays, drawing 92 percent of the money and 87 percent of the total bets since opening at 200.5. PROP PICKS --Fred VanVleet Under 17.5 Points (-115 at BetMGM): The Rockets' guard has averaged 19.0 points through the first six games of the series, and has been instrumental in Houston staying alive with 26 and 29 points in the past two games. However, VanVleet averaged only 11.3 points through the first three games of the series. --Stephen Curry Over 20 Points (-575 at DraftKings): The payout here isn't enticing, but that hasn't stopped this from being the most bet NBA player prop at the book on Sunday. Curry is averaging 24.3 points through the first six games and is coming off a 29-point effort in Golden State's Game 6 loss. You can bet Curry isn't going down without his best fight. THE NEWS At first blush, the Warriors would appear to have the advantage on Sunday. Curry and Draymond Green have played in five Game 7s each, while Jimmy Butler has participated in four. VanVleet, Steven Adams and Dillon Brooks provide playoff mettle for the Rockets, but the remainder of their core will experience their first Game 7. Emotionally, the Rockets will have a steep hill to ascend. To their benefit is a defensive might that hasn't vacated them in moments, good or bad. "Defense travels, and our awareness and physicality has improved in the series," Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. "And in general, our young guys are not really fazed by things. They just continue to play through it. They have really good veterans that steady them at times." Instead of shying away from the physical play, the Rockets have embraced it and put the Warriors on their heels. Golden State has one more chance to prove that experience matters. "Just got to meet force with force, execute the game plan," Green said. "Everybody will be excited. It will be hyped in there. It will be loud. Then the game starts, and there's just basketball. You got to execute your game plan, stay the course." THEY SAID IT "Staying together will not be an issue. This team has been connected and has been through everything. There's no question the frustration (Friday) set in. I could see it -- the body language. We can't have that. We can't afford that in Game 7. "We've got to stay tight whole way through. Like I said, I like our chances. I've seen what this group can do over the years. We've been in a lot of Game 7s, I believe, had a lot of success." --Warriors coach Steve Kerr --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stephen Curry Comforts Heartbroken Son Canon After Warriors' Game 6 Loss
Stephen Curry is no stranger to pressure-filled playoff games, but Game 6 against the Houston Rockets brought a heartbreak that hit especially close to home. After Golden State's 115–107 loss at Chase Center, which evened the series at 3–3 despite the Warriors once holding a 3–1 lead, the emotional weight of the moment spilled beyond the court. Cameras captured a tender scene that left fans choked up, Curry's six-year-old son Canon, devastated by the loss, refused to speak to his father and buried his face in his mother Ayesha's arms. Steph, who played 42 minutes and finished with 29 points on 9-of-23 shooting, approached his family postgame hoping to console his son. But Canon, normally full of energy and joy at Warriors games, wanted nothing to do with it. Advertisement As grandma Sonya Curry looked on with a warm, knowing smile, Steph gently tried to engage his son, reportedly telling him, 'We have one more game on Sunday.' Canon's quiet reply? 'I know it.' The moment was brief but raw, reflecting how deeply this loss was felt not just by players but by their families too. It wasn't just the Warriors who collapsed in the final quarter. Canon's heartbreak mirrored what Dub Nation felt as they watched their team go ice cold, missing 14 of their first 15 shots in the fourth. Despite being just down two points heading into the quarter, Golden State couldn't stop the Rockets' surge, led by Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams. Advertisement The Rockets' physicality and interior dominance overwhelmed the Warriors, as they outscored them in the paint and dominated the boards. Curry scored just 3 points in the fourth quarter, shooting 1-of-7 in the frame, far from the late-game brilliance fans are used to. What made the moment with Canon so relatable was its vulnerability. This wasn't about stats or shot selection. It was about a father trying to explain disappointment to his child while simultaneously grappling with his own. Though Canon was crushed, Curry showed the resilience that has defined his career as he gets ready for game 4. Historically, he's thrived in these moments, averaging 32.6 points in Game 7s, the third-highest all-time among players with at least five such appearances. Now, with Game 7 looming in hostile territory, Steph has another chance to rewrite the narrative, not just for his team, but for the little boy who couldn't bear to speak after watching his hero fall short. For Canon, that game on Sunday means everything. And for Steph, it might just be the most meaningful motivation of all. Related: Rating Warriors Players vs. Rockets: Curry's Offense Is Not Enough In Shocking Game 6 Loss
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kawhi Leonard Fans Upset With Draymond Green's New Comments
The Golden State Warriors' first-round series against the Houston Rockets has taken a dramatic turn. After leading the series 3-1, the Warriors have now dropped two consecutive games, culminating in a 115-107 loss in Game 6 at home. This sets the stage for a decisive Game 7 in Houston. Two-time MVP Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 29 points and seven rebounds, while Jimmy Butler contributed 27 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Despite their efforts, the Warriors struggled with shooting efficiency and could not find their offensive rhythm, particularly in the fourth quarter, which ultimately cost them the game. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12)© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images A significant factor in the Rockets' resurgence has been the stellar play of veteran guard Fred VanVleet. In Game 6, VanVleet delivered a standout performance, scoring 29 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, while also contributing eight rebounds and eight assists. Advertisement Following the loss, Draymond Green commended VanVleet for his performance, and made reference to 2019 NBA Finals, where the 31-year-old went off against Golden State. "Fred VanVleet is the reason we lost to Toronto in the Finals. So we know what he's capable of," Green acknowledged. While VanVleet played well in that series, averaging 14.0 points per game, Kawhi Leonard was the Finals MVP. Fans feel he was disrespected by Green's comments. "Kawhi & pascal played in that series buddy," a fan wrote. "He must of forgot….." another wrote with a Leonard gif. "Actually it was Kawhi but Draymond just wanted to give the media a headline," said another. "FVV just outplayed Steph Curry but it was Kawhi they couldn't stop lol." Advertisement "Not Kawhi 'Jordan'???" asked another. As the series shifts back to Houston for Game 7, the Rockets aim to complete a rare comeback from a 3-1 deficit, a feat the franchise has achieved twice in its history. Related: Unexpected NBA Team Predicted to Land Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga Related: Jimmy Butler Sends 5-Word Dillon Brooks Message After Rockets' Loss to Warriors
