
The Warriors lead the series 3-1. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.
The Houston Rockets fell short again in Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs vs. the Golden State Warriors, and we’re breaking it all down.
Free throws killed the Rockets, hitting just 59% from the line — a stat that could’ve flipped the game. Jalen Green once again struggled to deliver, while Fred VanVleet stepped up and gave the Rockets some hope.
Alperen Şengün couldn’t shoot outside, but did what he had to in the paint. Meanwhile, Ime Udoka’s late-game decisions sparked major frustration.
When the Rockets needed 3-pointers, he put in the wrong lineup. It feels like the same Rockets team since 1995 — great potential, but not clutch in crunch time.
Can this team evolve and become playoff-ready? Or are we watching another early exit in the making?
Don't miss the video below as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein share their thoughts on the loss.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.