Warriors face pressure in Game 7 after Rockets force series tie

After leading their playoff series against the Houston Rockets 3-1, the Golden State Warriors now face the prospect of a historic collapse, with the Rockets forcing a decisive Game 7 following victories in Games 5 and 6. The Warriors struggled offensively in Game 6, missing 13 consecutive shots in the fourth quarter, and were unable to capitalize on a chance to close out the series at home. Fred VanVleet led Houston with a standout performance, while Golden State's Stephen Curry, despite scoring 29 points, was inefficient from the field. The momentum has shifted to the Rockets, who have responded to every Warriors run and contained Curry effectively since Game 3. The Warriors are now at risk of joining a short list of NBA teams to lose a series after leading 3-1, a fate they famously suffered in the 2016 NBA Finals. Sunday's Game 7 in Houston will determine who advances to the Western Conference semifinals to face Minnesota.