Game 5 Recap: Rockets Dominate Warriors to Force Game 6 | NBA Playoffs 2025
The Houston Rockets delivered a statement performance in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, handing the Golden State Warriors a tough 131–116 loss to keep their season alive. In this video, we break down all four quarters, highlight key moments, analyze standout performances from Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet, and Alperen Şengün—and explore what went wrong for Stephen Curry and the Warriors.
Can the Dubs bounce back at home in Game 6? Or are the young Rockets building real momentum in this series? Tune in for full coverage and insights you won’t get anywhere else.
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00:00In a do or die game five, with their season hanging in the balance, the Houston Rockets fueled by youth grit and a tenacious defense, the Rockets took control early and never looked back, securing a 131-116 win to stay alive in the series.
00:19Let's break it all down quarter by quarter.
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00:40Right from the opening tip, Houston came out like a team possessed.
00:44Their defense was suffocating, especially in the paint, forcing Golden State into rushed shots and broken plays.
00:51Eamon Thompson was electric, setting the tone early with active hands on defense and blazing speed in transition.
00:59On the other end, Fred VanVleet calmly directed traffic, finding open shooters and breaking down Golden State's coverage with precision, racing out to a commanding 38-24 lead.
01:12Golden State looked rattled.
01:14The Rockets had made their statement.
01:17They weren't going home tonight.
01:19Things only got worse for the Warriors in a second.
01:22Houston's offense caught fire.
01:24With slick ball movement and relentless energy, they carved up Golden State's defense.
01:30Thompson continued to wreak havoc on one play, stripping the ball, sprinting the length of the court, and slamming it home.
01:38VanVleet and Dylan Brooks capitalized on every defensive breakdown, draining threes and keeping the pressure on.
01:46By halftime, Houston had ballooned the lead to 76-49.
01:52The Rockets were in complete control, and the Warriors looked stunned, searching for answers.
01:58Coming out of halftime, you'd expect a championship-caliber push from the Warriors.
02:03But it never came.
02:05Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler struggled to get going, stifled by Houston's zone defense that clogged passing lanes and contested every look.
02:15With their stars held in check, Golden State's offense sputtered.
02:19Meanwhile, Alpern Sengen continued to shine for Houston, nearly notching a triple-double as he facilitated from the post, anchored the defense, and controlled the glass.
02:30Down big, the Warriors turned to their bench.
02:34And surprisingly, it worked.
02:36Moses Moody and Kevin Knox, too, sparked a run, trimming the lead to just 13 and injecting life back into Chase Center.
02:43But that energy didn't last.
02:46Things took a wild turn when Warriors guard Pat Spencer got tangled with Sengen.
02:51And in a moment of frustration, headbutt, the Rockets big man.
02:55The scuffle led to Spencer being ejected, the first such incident in this series.
03:01With emotions high, Houston refocused.
03:04Van Vliet and Thompson returned to the court and quickly re-established order.
03:09The Rockets closed the game strong, calmly sealing the 15-point victory.
03:15Let's talk stars of the night.
03:16Amen Thompson delivered a monster all-around performance, dropping 25 points, swiping five steals, swatting three shots, and doing it all with a relentless motor.
03:28Fred Van Vliet led the team in scoring with 26 points, masterfully navigating Houston's offense.
03:35And Sengen was the glue, with 15 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.
03:40Just shy of a triple-double while anchoring the zone defense that gave Golden State nightmares.
03:45It's also worth noting, Golden State's bench poured in 76 points, a playoff franchise record.
03:53But with their stars neutralized, it wasn't enough.
03:57With this win, the Rockets breathed life into what was becoming a one-sided series.
04:02They forced a game six, and they're heading back to San Francisco with momentum on their side.
04:08The Warriors now face mounting pressure.
04:11Can Curry and Butler bounce back?
04:14Or will the Young Rockets complete the comeback and send the champs packing?
04:19We'll find out soon.
04:20But for now, Houston stays alive.
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04:31what you think in the comments.
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04:38Until next time, stay inspired and keep chasing greatness.
