Warriors’ Fourth Quarter Collapse in Game 6
SAN FRANCISCO — As the fourth quarter of Game 6 commenced, the Houston Rockets held a slim lead of two points, which quickly expanded to six. The pivotal moment that aggravated key members of the Golden State Warriors occurred just moments later after a defensive mix-up.
The Warriors lost track of their defensive assignments following a timeout. Gary Payton II, tasked with guarding Fred VanVleet, inadvertently found himself targeting Jalen Green instead. By the time he realized the switch, Houston was already poised to capitalize on the confusion. Viewers caught a glimpse of VanVleet unguarded on the left wing, with Payton scrambling far from him as his teammates pointed him out.
Payton compounded the defensive mistake by fouling VanVleet as he successfully made a jumper, resulting in a crucial four-point possession that Draymond Green claimed deflated the Warriors’ spirit. “Fred VanVleet has 17 3s in three games and he’s wide open coming out of a timeout?” Green remarked in disbelief.
Game-Changing Moments
“That’s on us as a staff to make sure we’re matched up,” said Coach Kerr, emphasizing the significance of that play. This incident proved to be not just a game-changing moment but potentially a season-defining scenario. The Warriors had generally performed well in the series, winning one of the two games in Houston and triumphing at home in the next two.
However, they found themselves in a disastrous fourth quarter, ultimately losing 115-107, which forced a decisive Game 7 back in Houston less than two days later. From the moment of the defensive blunder, the situation deteriorated rapidly for the Warriors. They missed 14 of their first 15 shots in the fourth quarter, allowing a two-point deficit to balloon into a 17-point gap.
Defensive Struggles against Houston’s Zone
This scoring drought coincided with Houston’s effective zone defense, particularly with Steven Adams on the floor. The Warriors have struggled against this defense, averaging under a point per possession when the Rockets switched to zone coverage. Curry acknowledged the challenge, stating, “They’re trying to force a certain type of shot.”
Despite Curry’s aggressive attempts, the negative impact of Houston’s defensive strategy was evident. While the Warriors’ starters faced limited success, non-Curry players struggled, with some showing hesitation in taking shots. As the team prepares for Game 7, the coaching staff faces tough decisions regarding personnel and strategy, including potentially increasing Kevon Looney’s minutes to bolster defense against Adams and Alperen Şengün.
Looking Ahead
In the locker room postgame, Butler and Green engaged in discussions about necessary adjustments, indicating the urgency of their situation. With their playoff trajectory now at stake, the team remains focused on regrouping and preparing for the upcoming challenge. “We’re going to be ready to compete on Sunday,” Butler asserted confidently. “We’ll make the game go our way.”
