SAN FRANCISCO, California — Golden State Warriors go face off against Houston Rockets for vital Game 3 of their NBA Western Conference Playoffs series this Saturday night.
Game is set to start at 8:30 p.m. ET at the Chase Center, after both teams shared victories in the first two games. The series is tied 1-1 and the winner of this match will gain a significant advantage moving forward in the playoffs.
Warriors won the first game, 95-85, in Houston, led by Stephen Curry‘s 31 points alongside Jimmy Butler‘s 25 points, but things took a turn in Game 2. The Rockets triumphed, defeating Golden State by a score of 109-94, as Jalen Green stole the show with 38 points, including eight 3-pointers.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr confirmed before Game 3 that Butler might return from injury but it is still uncertain if he can contribute. “We hope to have Jimmy back tonight. His presence is vital to our strategy,” said Kerr.
Butler, who suffered a pelvis contusion after a hard fall during Game 2, has been a significant factor in Golden State’s lineup since his midseason trade from Miami. Without him, Warriors will need extra firepower from their supporting players to replace the offensive output.
In Game 2, while Green dominated the court for Houston, contributing with 38 points and six assists, Alperen Sengun helped seal the victory with strong rebounding, finishing with 17 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists. Houston’s defense held the Warriors to just 41.3% shooting.
“We focused on our defense, and it worked wonders tonight,” Green said after the Game 2 win. “We will have to bring even more intensity to Game 3.”
This series is crucial for both teams, especially for the Rockets, who have historically struggled against the Warriors, having lost all four playoff series they have faced in franchise history. Despite that, the Rockets have proven they can win against Golden State, having taken three of their last seven meetings this season.
Fans eager to see how this pivotal Game 3 unfolds can watch live on ABC or stream through various platforms like Fubo, making accessibility easier for those without cable.
Expect an intense and physical matchup as both teams look to claim the upper hand in this critical playoff series.
