The Golden State Warriors wrapped things up quickly in Houston. By the third quarter, all of their starters were resting as they trailed by 31 points. But it’s rare to see a glimpse of disappointment on their faces. The bench was talkative. Every player and coach seemed to have some insight. With a Game 6 to be played at the Chase Center, they had already begun planning a revised strategy to counter the athletic and defiant Rockets team.

Unsurprisingly, the two most vocal guys on the team, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, were seen having an intricate conversation on the sidelines. But what was said? Did they spot an area they could exploit going back home? After the game, Green spoke about the details of their activity on the bench.

“Yeah, we turned the page quick, and just start talking about possible adjustments that we can make, things we see, stuff we can get into. Um, but yeah, it was, we flipped the page really fast,” the DPOY finalist told the media.

Of all the games played in this series, the Rockets managed to contain the electric Warriors starting contingent most effectively in Game 5. They only scored a combined 40 points, with only Stephen Curry surpassing double digits. Hence, they knew whatever they had planned on the sidelines wasn’t going to work. But there might not be a sense of worry either as they still hold home court advantage.

When asked whether those conversations unraveled any key insights, Green had a cheeky response. “You’ll tell me after the next game,” the four-time champion told the reporter.

Nonetheless, tonight’s game showed just how cutthroat this rivalry truly is. The Rockets seemed energetic, playing with great vigor and being clinical as a team defensively. Three of their starters scored over 20 points and controlled the game no matter what Steve Kerr and the Warriors threw at them.

So even though the Warriors are just one game away, it will probably be a long night at the Chase Center when Game 6 rolls around in a few days. Not only will the Rockets be confident to force the seventh game, the Bay is still not fully back on its feet.

Health isn’t siding with the Warriors

A few concerning visuals emerged before tonight’s game. Specifically, a picture of Stephen Curry made the rounds. The thumb of his shooting hand looked swollen, almost like a bubble ready to burst. Throughout the game, he opted to wear a protective wrap. The Chef, who seemed unstoppable in the first three games, began to show a few signs of struggling.

He only scored 13 tonight, leaving people wondering whether the thumb is bothering his performance. “No, not at all,” he told the curious reporters. It’s merely a niggle, it turns out. However, mentally, Stephen Curry has prepared himself to withstand the pain. “It’s something you are dealing with and you keep it moving as long as I can play. It’s got a wrap for a reason. So that’s it,” he further added.

However, while Curry’s injury isn’t as concerning, the series flipped on its head when Jimmy Butler landed awkwardly on his hip. The former Heat forward missed a game, but on his return was incredible. For fans, Butler has a credible reason to underperform, playing through pain. But for the obsessive competitor, if he is on the hardwood, he won’t give any excuses.

“It’s getting there. You know, another day and some change of recovery and rest but that’s no excuse for how I played. How we played as a whole. Like I always say, if anybody takes that floor, you expect them to go out there and produce. More than anything, you are expected to go out there and win,” he said about their performance.

That seems to be the mindset of every player within the Warriors locker room. Tonight, they weren’t close to their best selves. However, they have already manifested how they want to play at home to close out the series. But the Rockets aren’t going to go down without a fight.