Rockets Defeat Warriors 109-94 in Game 2

The Houston Rockets evened their first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors at one game apiece, fueled by Jalen Green's 38-point performance and strong team defense. The Rockets bounced back from a disappointing Game 1 loss, making significant adjustments and capitalizing on the Warriors' challenges after Jimmy Butler exited Game 2 with a pelvis injury. Without Butler, Golden State struggled offensively despite Stephen Curry's 20 points and his milestone of passing 4,000 career playoff points. The Rockets maintained control throughout Game 2, leading by as much as 20 and responding effectively to the Warriors' comeback attempts. The physical and intense matchup featured technical and flagrant fouls as both teams battled aggressively. As the series shifts, Houston's defensive strategy and ability to exploit the Warriors' vulnerabilities without Butler offer them a potential path to victory.