Warriors Eliminate Rockets in Game 7 Behind Hield

The Golden State Warriors advanced to the Western Conference semifinals Sunday night (Monday in PHL), defeating the Houston Rockets 103-89 in a decisive Game 7 at the Toyota Center.

The Warriors shook off back-to-back losses in Games 5 and 6, drawing on veteran poise and a record-setting shooting night from Buddy Hield to close out the series.

Hield erupted for 33 points on 9-of-11 shooting from three-point range, his best playoff performance to date in just his 11th postseason game.

Stephen Curry added 22 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, to fend off a late push by the second-seeded Rockets.

“A lot of resilience,” said Curry after the game. “Everybody stepping up. Everybody’s been talking about our team the last two games in terms of our execution, our energy, all that. We blocked it all out and just understood we had 48 minutes to dig deep. Everybody contributed.”

“Buddy Hield was unbelievable,” Curry added, praising his backcourt teammate who was acquired midseason to boost Golden State’s perimeter scoring.

Curry’s first points came just before halftime, but Hield had already scorched Houston for 22 in the first half, including six three-pointers, helping the Warriors take a 51-39 lead at the break.

Draymond Green also chipped in with 10 points in the first half, giving the Warriors momentum they would not relinquish.

The Rockets trimmed a 15-point third-quarter deficit to just three, 65-62, before a final-quarter surge by Golden State changed the game’s complexion.

Curry opened the fourth with five straight points, and Jimmy Butler added six during a 12-0 run that pushed the Warriors’ lead to 20 with under three minutes left.

Butler, who joined Golden State from Miami in February, finished with 20 points and has been a stabilizing force during the team’s postseason push.

“For us to build chemistry on the fly and build trust on the fly and perform like we did in a Game 7, it means the world,” Curry said. “So mission accomplished — step one.”

The Rockets were led by Amen Thompson with 24 points and nine rebounds, while Alperen Sengun had 21 points and 14 boards in a strong double-double effort.

However, Houston struggled mightily from beyond the arc, making only six three-pointers as a team and falling behind 70-62 entering the final period.

Sunday’s defeat ended Houston’s hopes of becoming just the 14th team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 series deficit.

Sengun, who had expressed confidence ahead of the matchup, lamented missed opportunities.

“I don’t think they’ve beaten us this series,” Sengun said before Game 7. “We beat ourselves, missing free throws and easy shots. When we’re locked in, we’re locked in.”

Golden State will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round after the Wolves dispatched the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.