The Houston Rockets have advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals, and with some classic NBA Cup drama.
The Rockets erased a six-point lead in a minute and a half, defeating the Golden State Warriors 91-90 in a game that went from a defensive clinic for Houston, to a resurgent show of power for Golden State, to a straight-up thriller in the final minute.
Houston will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, who defeated the Dallas Mavericks the night before, in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The win snaps a 15-game losing streak to the Warriors dating back to Feb. 20, 2020. The last time the Rockets defeated their playoff foe from the previous decade, James Harden and Russell Westbrook were involved and not a single player. Wednesday’s rotation was on the team.
The Rockets entered Wednesday with more confidence than usual, thanks to a 16-8 record and the second-best defensive rating in the NBA. That strength showed in the first half, when they pressured the Warriors in a way no one else has this season. Entering halftime, the Warriors trailed 44-37 and shot 16 of 42 (4 of 22 from 3-point range) with 10 turnovers.
But you can only contain the Warriors’ offense for so long. In the final two minutes, the Warriors had jumped to a 90-84 lead.
That lead was cut to one point with 27 seconds left. Stephen Curry got an open 3-pointer and missed, but Gary Payton II got what should have been the game-clinching rebound. Except instead of calling a timeout, he tried to pass the ball while lying on his stomach and surrounded by the Rockets. Jalen Green got the ball and committed a foul just after Houston entered the bonus.
Groen made both free throws to take the lead. Golden State had 3.5 seconds and a timeout left – thanks to Payton – but Brandin Podziemski’s attempt for a game-winner was blocked. Mistakes were made and the result was history for Houston. And disbelief for the Warriors.
