- Houston tied the series 1-1 with a 109:94 win over Golden State at home
- Jalen Green scored 38 points, becoming the third Rocket ever with 35+ in a playoff game at age 23 or younger
- Jimmy Butler exited in the first quarter with a pelvic contusion and is set for further tests
Key Takeaways:
Houston Rockets levelled the playoff series against Golden State after a commanding 109:94 victory in Game 2 on home court. The result sends the series to San Francisco tied at 1-1, but the Warriors now face added concern over the condition of their star, Jimmy Butler.
He exited late in the first quarter after landing awkwardly while contesting a rebound. He appeared to have seriously bruised his lower back. The team confirmed that Butler has pelvic contusion and medical tests are scheduled, hoping the issue is not severe.
Jimmy Butler went to the locker room after colliding with Amen Thompson. pic.twitter.com/Ucox0vHwgN
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 24, 2025
Without such a key figure on the court, the visitors struggled to match Houston’s intensity. The Texans, determined to bounce back after the first game, came out strong and fully committed. They opened up a 28:18 lead after the first quarter and maintained control through to the final buzzer.
Jalen Green stole the spotlight with a 38-point explosion, leading the Rockets to victory. His performance earned him a spot in franchise history, becoming only the third Houston player to score 35 or more points in a playoff game at age 23 or younger. He now joins the elite company of Hakeem Olajuwon (who did it four times) and James Harden (once).
Alperen Sengun also played a key role, finishing with 17 points and 16 rebounds in a dominant display under the basket. With momentum shifting and Golden State awaiting clarity on Butler’s condition, the series heads into its next two games in San Francisco with everything to play for.