Rockets heartbroken by bitter rivals in Game 7

The Houston Rockets put up a tremendous fight, but it's over. Their 2024-25 season has concluded.

There will be disappointment. That's understandable. Still, Rockets fans should be proud. This young team exceeded expectations. Ultimately, that youth would cost them. The Rockets looked remarkably poised throughout their first-round series with the Warriors.

In Game 7, their age began to show.

By contrast, so did the Warriors'. This was the same veteran dynasty that's been crushing Rockets fans for a decade. They ended Houston's season with a 103-89 win.

Although their north star didn't lead the way in the first half. Steph Curry was hardly even impacting the game. It was Buddy Hield burying Houston's season. He had an incredible 22 points on 8/9 shooting from the field and 6/7 shooting from distance in the first half. Dillon Brooks' defensive strategy of giving Hield space only to aggressively close out consistently backfired.

Seasoned Rockets fans knew that meant he was due for an explosion.

Rockets old rival buries their season

Midway through the third, Curry hit one of his signature "no, that's impossible" threes over the outstretched arm of Tari Eason. A few minutes later, he hit a trick layup that would make a Harlem Globetrotter blush. It was a harbinger of doom. He only had 20 points, but with contributions from their role players included, that was enough to lift the Warriors to a win.

Amen Thompson was the Rockets' best player for a second consecutive game. He was aggressive in looking for his shot all night. Thompson relentlessly attacked the rim, and it paid dividends. He had 24 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Notably, Thompson exited this game with a leg cramp and had the heart to return.

Alperen Sengun was lacking in efficiency, but he was also aggressive. The big man finished with 23 points on 9/23 shooting. The Rockets would like to see a better shooting percentage, and they had their best stretch with Sengun on the bench, Still, they should be pleased that Sengun didn't shrink under the bright lights.

That's more than they can say for Jalen Green.

He had 8 points. It's been a theme of this series. Green has struggled mightily to make anything happen. The Rockets must evaluate his future with the team in the offseason.

Broadly speaking, the Rockets' offense was anemic. They managed just points. Having a reliable creator in the backcourt would have been tremendously helpful.

Now, the team will watch the playoffs unfold from a distance.

Still, this is not a funeral. It's a celebration. The 2024-25 Rockets will go down in history as a team that surpassed expectations. Next season, the bar will be higher.

It would be nice if they could beat the Warriors.