The Houston Rockets refused to surrender as they kept their season and title hopes alive.
After two deflating losses in San Francisco that saw them facing a tough 3-1 series deficit, the Houston Rockets furiously retaliated for Game 5 of their Western Conference first round matchup with the Golden State Warriors.
With their backs against the wall, the Rockets posted a signature performance in his 2025 NBA Playoffs with a 131-116 victory over the Warriors.
The young Houston squad could not care less about Steve Kerr’s rule book rantings as they kept their season alive with a win.
It was a well-rounded effort for the Rockets led by star point man Fred VanVleet’s 23 markers in 8-13 shooting (4-6 threes).
Brushing off dirty antics allegations for Stephen Curry, Dillon Brooks went off with 24 points.
Beyond VanVleet and Brooks, another Rocket came up huge to help Houston’s must-win Game 5 play.
Rockets sensation Amen Thompson had himself the best playoff game of his young career as he demonstrated a mind-blowing two-way performance.
For 35 minutes, Thompson was an absolute terror at the side of Golden State on both ends of the floor, recording 25 points, six boards, three assists, five steals, and three blocks. He shot consistently with 8-12 field goals.
From scoring the ball reliably and restricting Stephen Curry to a 13-point display, Thompson tallied a superior +32 for the wire-to-wire matchup.
With this amazing all-around statline he tallied, Thompson went on to submit his name on the NBA postseason record books, joining the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Elvin Hayes and Rick Barry for a special milestone.
He is just the fifth player in NBA history to score more than 25 points, and registers more than five steals, and three blocks in a playoff game.
Clinching this feat is simply priceless for Thompson, and especially thrilling considering that Olajuwon is also in the list.
The Rockets’ all-time great and the man behind the franchise’s back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995, Olajuwon has been in attendance for Houston’s playoff home games this series against the Warriors.
“I mean, being in any list with Hakeem, it obviously means a lot,” Thompson said in postgame. “Rick Barry, too
“Just because I still see Hakeem and he always shows love. Being on a list with him means a lot.”
The Rockets expect nothing but another brilliant performance from Thompson as they approach a do-or-die situation for Game 6 back in the Bay Area.
