Warriors Near Second Round After Game 4 Win

The Golden State Warriors are one win away from advancing to the second round of the NBA playoffs after a 109-106 victory over the Houston Rockets, taking a 3-1 series lead. Jimmy Butler returned from injury to score a team-high 27 points in Game 4, while Brandin Podziemski added a playoff career-high 26 points, and Draymond Green made a crucial defensive stop in the final seconds. Stephen Curry, recently named the NBA's 2024-25 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year, had played a key role in the previous Game 3 win with 36 points. Buddy Hield and Gary Payton provided vital bench support during Butler's earlier absence. For the Rockets, Alperen Sengun scored 31 points and Fred VanVleet hit eight three-pointers in Game 4. The Rockets will try to avoid elimination at home in Game 5.