The Golden State Warriors hosted the Houston Rockets at Chase Center for Game 6 of the 2024–25 NBA Playoffs, entering the night with a 3–2 series lead and a chance to close out the series at home. But Fred VanVleet made sure that wouldn’t happen. The Rockets guard delivered a performance that reignited memories for Draymond Green—memories the Warriors would rather forget.
Following the loss, Green didn’t hold back when asked about VanVleet’s impact on the game. He brought up the 2019 NBA Finals, when VanVleet was a key reason the Toronto Raptors dethroned the Warriors.
“No, I’m not surprised one bit,” Green said, via ESPN’s SportsCenter. “Fred VanVleet is the reason we lost to Toronto in the [2019 NBA] Finals. So, we know what he’s capable of. I’m not surprised at all.” Green’s comments came after VanVleet posted 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists in Houston’s 115–107 win.
VanVleet’s all-around play kept the Warriors off balance, and the Rockets took full advantage to force a decisive Game 7 back in Houston. His poise, shot-making, and leadership were on full display, and once again, he showed why he’s one of the league’s most underrated postseason performers. The Warriors now face a must-win scenario on the road.
Warriors face pressure heading into Game 7
Golden State struggled to match Houston’s intensity, especially in the second half. The Rockets were relentless on both ends of the floor, and the Warriors’ defense had few answers. Despite strong offensive efforts from Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, the supporting cast failed to provide the lift they needed.
Bench players and role guys couldn’t maintain the same pace, and it hurt the Warriors down the stretch. The lack of consistency and physicality was glaring, especially with Houston ramping up the pressure late in the game. Golden State found themselves reacting, rather than dictating, which rarely ends well in the NBA playoffs.
Draymond Green, never one to shy away from accountability, acknowledged the issues and emphasized the importance of learning quickly. “It’s exciting. It’s for all the marbles,” he said. “We’ll move on and learn from what we did wrong. It’s obvious what we did wrong. I think Game 7s are fun.” Now, they’ll need to prove it.
Despite the setback, the Warriors aren’t panicking. They’ve been in high-pressure situations before, and their core players are battle-tested. Still, facing a young, aggressive Rockets team on the road in a Game 7 will require near-flawless execution—and the leadership of Curry and Green will be critical.
Green confident in Curry’s ability to deliver
While the Warriors have always leaned on Stephen Curry in critical moments, this time the pressure feels heavier. Curry has consistently delivered when the stakes are highest, and his teammates are expecting another one of those signature performances. Green made that expectation clear postgame.
“We’ve looked to him to do something special every night for the last 13 years I’ve been here,” Green said. “I don’t think it’s any different.” Curry’s consistency in the postseason has become part of his legend, and even as he ages, the trust in his clutch gene remains unshaken among teammates and coaches alike.
And Green is right—within the Warriors’ locker room, most players can have an off night without raising alarms. But when Curry does, it feels seismic. His margin for error is different, and in a Game 7 on the road, the franchise icon will be expected to carry the load once again. The question now is whether the rest of the team is ready to rise with him.