Stephen Curry scores 36 points to lead Warriors over Rockets

In San Francisco, on Saturday night, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Houston Rockets in a pivotal Game 3 of their first-round playoff series without the presence of Jimmy Butler, who was sidelined due to injury. Stephen Curry, stepping up in Butler's absence, found his rhythm and delivered an impressive performance. He finished the game with 36 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds, showcasing his ability to take control and lead his team. The Warriors secured a 104-93 victory, granting them a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Curry had a shaky start, missing his first three attempts from beyond the arc in the opening quarter, coinciding with Golden State's poor shooting which resulted in a 2-for-13 performance from three-point range at that time. However, he gradually found his stride, contributing a crucial 13 points in the second quarter, which helped to narrow the Rockets' lead to just three points by halftime. The Warriors were able to rally and maintain their momentum into the second half, where they ultimately outperformed Houston. The absence of Jimmy Butler, who suffered a pelvic injury during Game 2, was keenly felt on the Rockets' side. Despite Butler's presence on the bench, where he took on a supportive role, his skills were missed as the team struggled to find answers to the Warriors' offensive surge. Houston's Fred VanVleet was a notable contributor early in the game, scoring the initial nine points for the team. Nonetheless, the Rockets failed to secure a consistent offensive rhythm against the Warriors' defense. As the game progressed, Dillon Brooks of the Rockets found himself in foul trouble, limiting his effectiveness on the court, which further exacerbated his team's struggles. The Warriors capitalized on this advantage, with several bench players, including Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II, contributing significantly to the scoring. With this victory, the Golden State Warriors secured their sixth consecutive win in Game 3 of opening playoff rounds. The forthcoming Game 4 promises to be pivotal, with the team's hopes partially resting on whether Butler can recover in time to make an impact in the critical stage of the series.