Butler returns, leads Warriors past Rockets for 3–1 series lead
The Golden State Warriors took a commanding 3–1 lead in their first-round NBA Playoff series after edging the Houston Rockets, 109–106, on Tuesday, April 29 (Philippine time) at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.
Jimmy Butler, who missed the previous game due to a hip contusion, returned with authority and led the Warriors with 27 points, five rebounds, six assists, and a block. He was perfect from the free throw line, going 12-of-12 — including the clutch final five that sealed the win for Golden State.
Brandin Podziemski stepped up with 26 markers, five boards, five dimes, two deflections, and one rejection to help power the Warriors to victory. Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield chipped in 17 and 15 points, respectively.
The Warriors’ sharp shooting from the charity stripe proved crucial, finishing 20-of-22 (90.9%). In contrast, the Rockets struggled from the line, converting only 19-of-31 (61.3%), despite Alperen Sengun going 7-of-10 en route to a game-high 31 points. Sengun also tallied 10 rebounds, five assists, and two steals in a strong all-around performance.
Fred VanVleet was also on fire for Houston, dropping 25 markers behind an efficient 8-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc. He added two boards and six dimes in another solid outing.
The game was tightly contested early, with the Warriors holding a slim 28–26 lead after the opening quarter. However, the Rockets responded in the second period with a run that gave them a 57–50 edge at halftime.
Golden State countered in the third canto, reclaiming a narrow 82–80 advantage heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter remained a tense affair, with three-point shooting and free throw conversions proving to be the deciding factors down the stretch.
With the 3–1 lead in hand, the Warriors now have the opportunity to close out the series on Friday, May 1 (Philippine time) at the Toyota Center in Houston — while the Rockets aim to survive and defend home court.
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The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).