The Golden State Warriors had a chance to close out the series at home. Instead, they fell apart late — again — and now find themselves in a do-or-die Game 7 after a 115-107 loss to the Houston Rockets. With the Rockets riding the momentum of Game 5 and playing with poise beyond their years, they never trailed once and delivered a complete team effort to stun the Chase Center crowd and even the series 3-3. Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler need help.

Fred VanVleet led the way for Houston with 29 points on 7-of-13 shooting, draining six threes and converting all nine of his free throws. He also added five assists and four rebounds, controlling the game with his signature calm. Alperen Sengun added 21 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, continuing his excellent postseason play. The Rockets outscored the Warriors 34-24 in the final quarter and are now one win away from advancing to the second round.

For the second straight game, VanVleet was the smartest player on the floor. With the Rockets clinging to a single-digit lead in the fourth quarter, the 2019 NBA champion methodically tore apart the Warriors’ defense, orchestrating a 12-0 run that turned the game on its head. He hit a deep three, found teammates with precise passes, and calmly hit free throws to shut the door on any Golden State comeback.

VanVleet spoke after the game about being in his element during moments like these: “There’s a certain level of comfort in this time of year,” he said. “You either rise to the occasion or you fold, and for me, it’s about giving my team a sense of confidence.”

Curry and Butler Carry the Load, But It’s Not Enough

Stephen Curry poured in 29 points and two assists, while Jimmy Butler added another 27 of his own. But Golden State’s dynamic duo didn’t get nearly enough help. Draymond Green, while physical, couldn’t provide a spark offensively or defensively late in the game.

By the fourth quarter, fatigue was setting in. As the broadcast team pointed out, “We’re talking about the Warriors’ age and everything—you gotta get those legs into it. When your arms are tired, your legs have to carry more of the load.” Stephen Currylogged 41 minutes and was clearly gassed. He sat briefly late, but as one commentator noted, “Steph sitting, but we’re gonna stay in? You can’t ask—or really get—any more out of those two.”

That assessment proved correct. Curry and Butler delivered all they could, but the rest of the roster didn’t follow. “It’s gonna be other guys that wear the Warrior uniform that have to be there if you’re gonna win a Game 7,” the commentators emphasized.

This game wasn’t just about stars. Houston’s depth outperformed expectations. “You’re supposed to be the better bench point team,” the broadcast reminded viewers. “The Rockets were 23rd in the league in bench points on the season. Warriors were third, and for a lot of the season, they were second.”

Yet in Game 6, the Rockets bench won that battle 32 to 26.

Amen Thompson contributed 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench, while Steven Adams made his presence felt with 17 points and five boards. “Adams fouled again,” the play-by-play call rang out in the fourth, as his physicality constantly disrupted the Warriors’ interior defense.

Houston also dominated the hustle stats — another dagger for Golden State. “They win the second chance points. They win the points off turnovers,” the commentary continued. Indeed, the Rockets turned 13 Warriors turnovers into 18 points and grabbed more rebounds, winning the second-chance battle 17-10.

Head coach Steve Kerr knows adjustments are needed. One possible change? A return to Jonathan Kuminga, who has been glued to the bench since Game 3.

“100 percent, [Kuminga is] on the table,” Kerr told reporters. “We kind of found a formula here in the latter part of the season, and we’ve stuck with it. But obviously, the last couple of games have gone very poorly. We have to assess everything.”

Kuminga’s athleticism and scoring could help inject life into a second unit that’s gone flat. In a Game 7 setting, Kerr may have no choice.

Golden State is no stranger to big moments, but this one comes with pressure they didn’t expect. Nearly a decade after blowing a 3-1 lead in the Finals, they now risk squandering a 3-2 first-round series advantage to a rising Rockets team.

Houston heads home with swagger, momentum, and a confident locker room led by a champion in VanVleet and rising stars like Sengun and Thompson. Tip-off for Game 7 is Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET.

For the Warriors, the formula is simple: someone else apart from Stephen Curry and Jimmy has to step up — or their season is over.