Gary Payton II delivered a strong performance in the fourth quarter, helping the Golden State Warriors secure a 104-93 victory over the Houston Rockets Saturday night. The win gives the Warriors a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Stephen Curry led the scoring for the Warriors with 36 points. He added nine assists and seven rebounds in the game. Curry’s offensive effort helped the team overcome an early deficit and respond without forward Jimmy Butler III, who missed the game due to a pelvic injury suffered in Game 2. Information regarding Butler's injury is available here.
The Warriors game saw contributions from other players as well. Buddy Hield scored 17 points off the bench, hitting five three-pointers.
Payton II scored 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter. His scoring included a corner three-pointer and a two-hand slam that helped extend a narrow lead. He shot a perfect 5-for-5 from the field in the final period.
Curry passed Tony Parker for 10th place on the NBA's all-time playoff scoring list during the game. This marks his 60th career playoff game with at least 30 points.
Historically, teams that take a 2-1 lead in a best-of-seven series win the series about 79 percent of the time.
Jonathan Kuminga started in place of Butler, scoring seven points in seven minutes. Rookie center Quinten Post also started, grabbing a career-high 12 rebounds but scoring only two points.
The Rockets were led by Fred VanVleet with 17 points and Alperen Sengun, who recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Dillon Brooks fouled out late in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors will host the Rockets again for Game 4 at Chase Center on Monday. Details for the next game are available here.
Postgame remarks from the team included praise for how players responded without their injured teammate.
"To see everyone step up in his absence was huge,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said.
