In Game 3 at the Chase Center, the Warriors beat the Rockets 104-93. Jimmy Butler did not play. Steph Curry, a two-time MVP, led the team. He scored 36 points. Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II helped the team win.
At the game’s start, the team faced a hard test. Butler sat out after an injury in Game 2. Curry took charge. He said, "We can play well without him." His words matched a strong team spirit.
Curry made 12 of 23 shots to score 36 points. He added nine assists and grabbed seven rebounds. His play stayed close and fast. He drove past Houston’s guards and took key shots.
With Butler on the bench, Coach Steve Kerr set a clear plan. The team ran plays that helped Curry get the ball close. Curry attacked the basket and drew fouls. He made 7 of 8 free throws at the line.
Buddy Hield came off the bench and scored 17 points. His play spread the court so Houston could not focus on one guard. Gary Payton II scored 12 points in the final quarter to help secure the win.
At one point, the Warriors trailed by 13 points. Curry and his teammates fought back with a strong 9-0 run that ended the first half. In one fast moment, Curry blocked a shot and then assisted Hield on a fast break. The team worked close together in each play.
This fight recalled past playoff wins. Coach Kerr said his team has learned to work as one. They rely on each player when needed.
Game 3 came at a key moment in the series. When teams win this game after splitting the first two, they win about 74% of the time. The Warriors gained an edge against the Rockets. They proved they can win even when one star is missing.
As the series continues, the team hopes for Butler’s return soon. With Curry, Hield, and Payton on the court, the Warriors play with strong will. Their win sends a call for more hard work in the playoffs.