- Stephen Curry delivers 36-point performance despite early shooting struggles
- Warriors extend Game 3 winning streak to six consecutive playoff openers
- Houston's Dillon Brooks fouls out early amid defensive challenges
- Golden State overcomes Jimmy Butler's absence with 33 bench points
Stephen Curry silenced doubters with a vintage playoff performance, rallying from a slow start to finish with 36 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds. The Warriors star surpassed Tony Parker for 10th on the NBA's all-time playoff scoring list (4,053 points) while playing 41 minutes of intense defense-focused basketball. Golden State's strategic adjustments to create spacing proved critical as Curry shot 50% after the first quarter.
Bench depth emerged as a decisive factor, with Buddy Hield contributing 17 points including five three-pointers. Gary Payton II's 11 fourth-quarter points highlighted Golden State's 33-15 advantage in bench scoring. This aligns with playoff trends showing teams with +15 bench points win 73% of postseason games since 2020.
Jimmy Butler's absence tested Golden State's adaptability, with Draymond Green noting everyone stepped up in critical moments.The Warriors improved to 8-2 in playoff games without their star forward over the past three seasons. Butler's pelvic injury presents ongoing concerns, with medical experts suggesting 3-5 day recovery timelines for similar gluteal contusions.
Houston's defensive strategy backfired as Dillon Brooks accumulated four first-half fouls before fouling out late in the fourth. Fred VanVleet's 17-point effort and Alperen Sengun's 15/11 double-double weren't enough to overcome 19 team fouls. The Rockets join 82% of playoff teams since 2015 that lost when committing 15+ fouls.
Chase Center's home-court advantage proved significant, with Golden State improving to 14-3 in home playoff games since 2022. The Warriors' second-quarter surge (outscoring Houston 28-18) exemplified their championship pedigree in high-pressure situations.
Monday's Game 4 looms as a series pivot point, with Butler's status remaining unclear. Historical data shows teams winning Game 3 after a split go on to win the series 68% of the time. Golden State aims to leverage their defensive momentum after holding Houston to 39% second-half shooting.