Chris Paul’s grit and veteran leadership have pushed the Golden State Warriors to the brink of elimination.
Now the Houston Rockets must wait to see if his injured leg is strong enough to help them take one last step to the Finals.
Eric Gordon came off the bench to score 24 points and his steal on Golden State’s last possession secured a 98-94 victory on Thursday night that gave the Rockets a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
Photo: AFP
However, the victory came with a cost, as Paul had to leave the game in the final minute with a right hamstring injury that could keep him out of Game 6.
“His spirits aren’t great,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He wanted to be out there, and for sure he’s worried... We’ll see tomorrow how it goes.”
Paul was receiving treatment after the game and did not speak to reporters.
If the Rockets win Game 6 in Oakland tonight, they will knock out the defending champions and advance to the Finals for the first time since winning back-to-back titles in 1994-1995.
Kevin Durant scored 29 points for the Warriors, who lost in Game 5 of a playoff series for just the second time since 2015.
“We haven’t been in this position before ... so it’s a chapter we need to figure out and finish the story,” Stephen Curry said.
The Rockets won a second straight defensive struggle between the two potent offenses, leaving the Warriors a loss from missing the Finals for the first time since 2014.
Draymond Green made a three-pointer with just more than a minute left to get Golden State within one. Harden, who was 0-11 on threes, missed his last one with less than 30 seconds left, giving the Warriors the ball back.
Curry missed a floater and Trevor Ariza grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 10 seconds left, but he made just one of two free throws to give the Warriors another chance.
However, Gordon came up with his steal when Green lost control in the lane and added two free throws with 2.4 seconds left to put it away.
Green was asked what was supposed to happen on the play.
“We was supposed to score,” he said. “I lost the ball ... not much more to it than that.”
Harden scoffed at a reporter who questioned him about his struggles from long range in the past two games, where he has a combined 3-22.
“Who cares,” he said. “I’m just missing shots, but we’re winning.”
Klay Thompson shook off a knee injury that had his status for this game in question to score 23 points and Curry added 22. A bruised left knee kept Andre Iguodala out for the second straight game.
It is Houston’s second straight win in the series after snapping Golden State’s playoff-record, 16-game home winning streak with a 95-92 victory on Tuesday night.
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