Jimmy Butler secured three free throws with 58.7 seconds remaining, clinched a rebound as the clock wound down to four seconds, and sank two additional free throws, accumulating 27 points in his comeback from an injury. This propelled the Golden State Warriors to a narrow 109-106 victory over the Houston Rockets in a tense Game 4, granting the Warriors a 3-1 advantage in the first round of the playoff series.

Fred VanVleet faced pressure but missed a crucial 3-pointer as the buzzer went off.

The series now returns to Houston for Game 5 on Wednesday, where the seventh-seeded Warriors will attempt to eliminate the second-seeded Rockets on their home turf.

Brandin Podziemski scored 26 points, while Stephen Curry contributed 17 during the nail-biting conclusion. Buddy Hield, moving into the starting lineup, hit a pivotal 3-pointer late in the game and finished with 15 points.

For the Rockets, Alperen Sengun posted 31 points and 10 rebounds and scored with 40 seconds remaining, narrowing the gap to one point. VanVleet scored a tying 3-pointer with 1:20 left on the clock, finishing with 25 points.

Butler made an impactful return, having missed Game 3 due to a pelvic contusion and significant bruises sustained from a fall in Game 2 after a foul from Amen Thompson.

The second quarter was marked by intense exchange, accumulating four technical fouls and a flagrant foul during distinct confrontations, featuring conflict involving Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Dillon Brooks.

As the game reached a tie at 36, a hard screen by Green on Thompson led to a confrontation that resulted in both players receiving technical fouls along with Brooks. The incidents continued, culminating in Green receiving a Flagrant 1 for pushing Tari Eason to the ground.

Butler efficiently shot 7-for-12 across 40 minutes, observing as Curry finished with 36 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds in the Warriors’ earlier victory against the Rockets.