By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Facing elimination, the Houston Rockets built a 31-point lead and went on to defeat the Golden State Warriors, 131-116, in Toyota Center.
Prevailing on Wednesday, they reduced the deficit in a best-of-seven series to 3-2 and forced a Game 6 in Chase Center on Friday.
In Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google, Alperen Sengun registered 15 points, nine assists, nine rebounds, two blocks, and two steals in just under 31 minutes.
“Nobody wants to go home. So, that was a win-win game. There was no option for us to lose,” the 22-year-old Turkish center mentioned in a postgame press conference, “There was four games with lead changes all the time. So, that was a good look for us, not letting them come back.”
Returning to the court after the advantage was cut to 17 points, Sengun was on the receiving end of a headbutt from Pat Spencer. With 4:14 left in the fourth quarter, the 28-year-old combo guard was ejected, while Sengun and Trayce Jackson-Davis were both issued technical fouls.
Coming off the bench for the visitors and lasting nearly 14 minutes, Dutch Quinten Post tallied five points, two blocks, and two rebounds.
2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google
Conference Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
East
Cleveland Cavaliers – Miami Heat 4-0 (121-100, 121-112, 124-87, 138-83)
Boston Celtics – Orlando Magic 4-1 (103-86, 109-100, 93-95, 107-98, 120-89)
New York Knicks – Detroit Pistons 3-2 (123-112, 94-100, 118-116, 94-93, 103-106)
Indiana Pacers – Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 (117-98, 123-115, 101-117, 129-103, 119-118)
West
Oklahoma City Thunder – Memphis Grizzlies 4-0 (131-80, 118-99, 114-108, 117-115)
Houston Rockets – Golden State Warriors 2-3 (85-95, 109-94, 93-104, 106-109, 131-116)
Los Angeles Lakers – Minnesota Timberwolves 1-4 (95-117, 94-85, 104-116, 113-116, 96-103)
Denver Nuggets – Los Angeles Clippers 3-2 (112-110, 102-105, 83-117, 101-99, 131-115)
Conference Semifinals (best-of-seven)
East
Cleveland Cavaliers – Indiana Pacers
Boston Celtics – Knicks OR Pistons
West
Oklahoma City Thunder – Nuggets OR Clippers
Rockets OR Warriors – Minnesota Timberwolves