Payton’s Spark, Curry’s Brilliance Lift Warriors

The Chase Center erupted as Draymond Green stole the ball and passed it to Gary Payton II, who punctuated the Warriors’ Game 3 win with a reverse dunk. Payton, coming off the bench, scored 16 points and provided a vital spark. “We had Jimmy’s back while he was out,” Payton said. “Hopefully,we get Jimmy back for Game 4 and we get back to our regular scheduled program.”

Butler’s Injury Casts Shadow Over Series

the Warriors’ victory is tempered by concerns surrounding Jimmy Butler’s injury. Butler sustained a pelvic and deep gluteal muscle contusion during Game 2, leaving his availability for the remainder of the series in question. Warriors coach Steve Kerr has described Butler as day-to-day.

Butler’s absence forced the Warriors to adjust their lineup, with Jonathan Kuminga and Quinten Post stepping into the starting five. The Rockets initially capitalized on Butler’s absence, jumping out to a 13-point lead in the second quarter.

Curry Takes Over

Stephen curry, though, refused to let the Warriors falter. Despite facing a physical Houston defense and frequent double-teams, Curry scored 25 of his game-high 36 points in the second and third quarters. His aggressive play and accurate shooting helped the Warriors close the gap and eventually seize control of the game. “He’s Steph Curry,” Kerr said. “He’s one much greatest players of all time. He’s 37. He’s one of the most well-conditioned athletes I’ve ever seen in my life. To play 41 minutes against that kind of defense, to have a slow start and then find his rhythm, which we have seen him do countless times over the years, to hit big shots, to only turn it over twice against that kind of pressure, he was brilliant.”

Curry’s performance underscores his enduring impact on the game.Now in his late thirties, the two-time MVP continues to defy expectations, leading the warriors with his scoring prowess and extraordinary ball-handling skills. His conditioning regimen, developed with the help of U.S.‑based performance coaches, is considered one of the most rigorous in the NBA.

Role Players Step Up

Curry received crucial support from Buddy Hield, who knocked down five 3-pointers and scored 17 points. In the fourth quarter, Gary Payton II capitalized on the attention Houston paid to Curry, scoring nine consecutive points and assisting on a Curry 3-pointer that extended the Warriors’ lead to 95-86. The Rockets double-teamed Curry on 27 plays, but the Warriors averaged 1.22 points per play on those possessions, according to ESPN Research.

Rockets’ Offense Struggles

For the Rockets, Jalen Green struggled to replicate his Game 2 performance, finishing with just nine points. Alperen Sengun led Houston with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Dillon Brooks added 13 points before fouling out. Houston point guard Fred VanVleet acknowledged the impact of Butler’s absence but emphasized that the Rockets were prepared regardless. “We prepared as if he was going to play,” VanVleet said.”We were ready to go. You can’t play that game of who is playing, who is not playing. Every chance you don’t win a game you feel like you could win is a missed prospect. Obviously, Jimmy adds another layer to that because they are a different team without him.”

VanVleet also gave credit to the Warriors bench. “But Gary Payton stepped up tonight. Both the guys off the bench played key minutes…We knew they were going to respond with a guy out as any good team would. There’s no scrubs in the playoffs right now.”

Rising tensions

The Rockets’ frustration boiled over after the game, with Jalen Green confronting Draymond Green. “Just talking,” Jalen green said of the altercation. “Steph had a good game. That’s the reason they won.It was just talking. You know, [Draymond Green] can’t really do much of anything else.So, talking is his only way.” Draymond Green downplayed the incident.

Butler’s Social Media Support

Despite being sidelined, Jimmy Butler showed his support for his teammates through social-media.he posted an image of the Batman symbol with Curry’s Under Armour logo. “Thanks Batman and team, excluding buddy,” wrote Butler, who is known for playfully teasing Hield.

Curry, who has scored 31 and 36 points in Golden State’s two wins this series, said he appreciated Butler’s post, adding that he just hopes he has Butler by his side on Monday. “I just know that I need to play at a high level for us to win,” Curry said. “And so does he and so does Draymond and so does everybody. Whatever you want to call me, I’ll embrace it, and hopefully it keeps happening.”

counterargument: Is Curry Overrated?

While Curry’s performance in game 3 was undeniably impressive, some analysts argue that his reliance on perimeter shooting makes him less effective in the playoffs, where defenses tend to tighten. Critics point to instances where Curry has struggled against particularly physical defenses, suggesting that his impact is diminished when he can’t find open looks from beyond the arc.

However, curry’s supporters counter that his ability to draw double-teams creates opportunities for his teammates, as evidenced by Payton’s success in Game 3. They also emphasize his improved playmaking and defensive contributions, which make him a more well-rounded player than he was earlier in his career. Moreover, recent data from U.S. sports analytics providers suggests that Curry’s playoff efficiency is comparable to that of othre NBA legends, further undermining the argument that he is overrated.

Looking Ahead

The Warriors will look to capitalize on their series lead in Game 4 on Monday. The key will be whether Butler can return to the lineup and provide the Warriors with his usual scoring and defensive presence. if Butler remains sidelined, the Warriors will need continued contributions from Curry, Payton, and other role players to overcome the Rockets’ determined effort to even the series.

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