In a nail-biting showdown at Chase Center, the Golden State Warriors showcased their grit and determination, defeating the Houston Rockets 104-93 in Game 3 of the Western Conference playoffs. This pivotal win put the Warriors ahead 2-1 in the series, despite the absence of star player Jimmy Butler.

Draymond Green ignited the crowd, stealing the ball and setting up Gary Payton II for a stunning reverse dunk that crowned an impressive team performance. Payton, who contributed 16 points off the bench, emphasized the team's commitment to supporting Butler during his recovery. "We had Jimmy's back while he was out," he stated, expressing hope that Butler would return for Game 4.

The night began with uncertainty surrounding Butler’s availability after he suffered a painful fall in Game 2, resulting in a pelvic contusion. Warriors coach Steve Kerr confirmed Butler would be day-to-day, allowing him additional time to heal before the crucial next game.

With Butler sidelined, the Warriors adjusted their lineup, starting Jonathan Kuminga and Quinten Post. The Rockets initially capitalized on the shaken Warriors, taking a commanding 13-point lead in the second quarter as Golden State struggled to find its rhythm.

But Stephen Curry, the Warriors' superstar, quickly turned the tide. Battling through constant double-teams, Curry exploded for 25 of his 36 points between the second and third quarters, hitting 9 of 13 shots during that crucial stretch. Warriors head coach Kerr praised Curry’s resilience, highlighting his ability to excel under pressure: "He’s one of the greatest players of all time... To play 41 minutes against that kind of defense and to find his rhythm, he was brilliant."

Support came from unexpected places as well, with Buddy Hield hitting five three-pointers and scoring 17 points. In the fourth quarter, when Curry scored nine points, Payton seized the opportunity to shine while Houston focused on Curry. He racked up nine consecutive points, including a crucial assist to Curry for a three-pointer that extended Golden State’s lead to 95-86.

Curry faced double-teams on 27 possessions, yet the Warriors managed to average 1.22 points per play during these moments, showcasing their adaptability and teamwork. Houston’s Fred VanVleet acknowledged the challenge of preparing without Butler, stating, "You can't play that game of who is playing, who is not playing. Every chance you don’t win feels like a missed opportunity."

Meanwhile, frustration mounted for the Rockets, particularly for Jalen Green, who had a quiet night after scoring 38 points in Game 2. He managed just nine points this time and after the game, an altercation broke out with Draymond Green. However, Draymond played it cool, saying the game was over.

In a heartening post-game gesture, Butler shared a picture on Instagram featuring Curry’s Under Armour logo intertwined with a Batman theme, playfully dubbing Curry 'Batman' to his own 'Robin.' Butler's light-hearted tone reflected his faith in Curry’s abilities: "Thanks Batman and team, excluding buddy," he quipped, continuing his friendly rivalry with Hield.

Curry, who has averaged 33.5 points in the series thus far, expressed gratitude for Butler’s support and emphasized the team’s need to maintain high-level play. "I just know that I need to play at a high level for us to win," he said earnestly. With Game 4 on the horizon, all eyes will be on Butler's recovery and the Warriors’ quest to solidify their playoff position.