Rockets' most glaring issue becomes obvious in Game 3

Houston Rockets fans are not having a good day.

The Warriors outclassed them in Game 3. This was a competitive game, but it felt like the Warriors had the edge throughout the entire contest. They were unambiguously the better team.

It's hard to find an area where the Rockets had a meaningful edge. Sure, they won the rebound battle. The margin wasn't nearly wide enough to make up for every area in which the Rockets were bested.

Interestingly, they did shoot a considerably better percentage from three-point range. The Rockets hit 39.3% of their triples, and the Warriors managed just 31.1%.

They won the three-point battle anyway

Rockets can't get enough shots up

The Warriors won it with sheer volume. They attempted 45 threes, where the Rockets managed just 28. That's not enough three-point attempts to win most NBA games in 2025.

The Warriors did not seem concerned with the Rockets' ability to hit triples. Instead, they opted to pack the paint. That strategy shut the Rockets' offense down. They shot a meager 39.5% from the field.

The Rockets shot a strong percentage from deep. That's good, but it's only so valuable when it happened largely because Golden State dared them to shoot. It has to be noted that Alperen Sengun (18 attempts) and Amen Thompson (16) were the Rockets' two leaders in field goal attempts, and shot a combined 0/0 from deep. It's a problem that Rockets fans have been anticipating all year.

What's the solution?

Rockets must add shooters this summer

In one sense, it isn't complicated. The Rockets need shooting. So, they must add shooters.

There are some complications in practice. The Rockets' roster is loaded. It's hard to envision where a shooting specialist would slide into the rotation. Their depth chart feels established, and this organization seems to prioritize continuity.

That's all well and good. The reality is that the Rockets will be limited so long as they feature one of the worst shooting rosters in the NBA. They need to improve the shooting on the roster, and Game 3 proved it.

That doesn't necessarily mean taking drastic steps. The organization surely isn't ready to move on from either Thompson or Sengun, and rightly so. Still, adding a player with significant three-point gravity would make life easier for both. Ideally, the Rockets find a positionally versatile shooter they can mix and match with their young core to see how having them on the floor boosts their games.

For now, they have to figure out how to beat the Warriors without that player.