Social Media Reacts to Rockets Blowing Out Warriors in Game 5

With their backs against the wall on Wednesday night, the Houston Rockets stepped up, issuing a double-digit loss to the Warriors to stave off elimination and make the series 3-1 in Golden State's favor.

Houston was hot from the get-go, rarely letting off the gas in coasting to a blowout win. The lead would blossom to as high as 31 for the Rockets, with the Warriors bench making things interesting in the fourth quarter. The Rockets eventually coasted to a 131-116 win. The trio of Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet combined to score 75 points.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr waved the white flag surprisingly early, putting primarily bench plays into the game mid-way through the third quarter. If the Wednesday-night rotation was any indication, it appears the Warriors are going to try to close the series out at home in Game 6.

Here's how X, formerly known as Twitter, reacted to Game 5:

Squad is set pic.twitter.com/TmO9WXR3M7
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 30, 2025

Rockets seemed as focused as I have seen them the entire playoffs
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) April 30, 2025

Rockets coming out hot down 3-1 at home. Wolves should expect the same response from Lakers.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) April 30, 2025

Special start for Amen Thompson — change in approach from him since Game 4. His activity on defense is always superb but just looking to barrel his way to the basket more. Finding ways.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) April 30, 2025

We've seen this movie before
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) April 30, 2025

Rockets guard Jalen Green just exited the game holding his left knee.

Hard to see what happened whether it’s an injury or just cramps.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) April 30, 2025

4️⃣ for 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/0ytVcKRwqn
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) May 1, 2025

The streets needs the Rockets and the Lakers to come back from 3-1.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 30, 2025

Amen rips Steph (for the second time).

Rockets lead Warriors by 27 at half.pic.twitter.com/ytETbDrxHT
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 1, 2025

Rockets were ROLLING in the first half 🚀 pic.twitter.com/EcauMWVxxN
— Real Sports (@realapp_) May 1, 2025

ROCKETS ARE COOKING THE WARRIORS 🚀🍿 pic.twitter.com/oM1cIFrGlP
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 1, 2025

Warriors are down 27 at the half in Houston. Rockets just put up 76 points on 69/60/85 shooting splits. Warriors had 10 turnovers and only six made 3s. Seemed like Steve Kerr already managing rotation for likely G6. Draymond Green only 12 first half minutes.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 1, 2025

If the Warriors think the Rockets are such scrubs that they can just punt a game and easily win it in six, why not actually just go win the series now and get yourself some rest?
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) May 1, 2025

AMEN THOMPSON

COOKIES
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) May 1, 2025

Fred Vanvleet on fire. Amen Thompson terrorizing on the defensive end. Alperen Sengun damn near with a triple double already. Dillon Brooks hitting shots. Jalen Green playing better. Tari and Jabari providing a spark off the bench.

Immaculate first half from the Rockets.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) May 1, 2025

Not kidding when I say I think Amen Thompson has been responsible for at least 30 defensive stops tonight for the Rockets.

Just a defensive masterclass from Houston tonight.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) May 1, 2025

truly so crazy how much feels like grizzlies/ warriors few yrs back. Grizzlies lost at end in game 4 - then destroyed em in Game 5. Warriors closed out in 6. Its like Golden St brings their best when they have to, but not before.
— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) May 1, 2025

I'm not sure I've ever seen a group of dudes who all want to shoot the ball less than this Warriors lineup.

Also not penetrating the zone and not taking care of the basketball, but they're usually passing up the only decent looks they do get. Or missing.

Tough watch.
— Carson Breber (@Carsobi) May 1, 2025

This is the best player movement I have seen from the Rockets all season
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) May 1, 2025

The future. Amen Thompson is awesome. pic.twitter.com/IZ4KsHjhCk
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) May 1, 2025

I’m no expert, but have the Rockets simply considered doing this every time?
— Tyler Stafford (@tylercstafford) May 1, 2025

Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and the rest of the Warriors starters have been benched midway through the 3rd quarter as they trail the Rockets by 29 in Game 5. pic.twitter.com/JrkBJf6Ws9
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 1, 2025

Reed Sheppard time baby
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 1, 2025

Since Warriors punted can we just start Lakers/ Wolves earlier? Make the call, Adam.
— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) May 1, 2025

Warriors checked in Kevin Knox who y’all got in game 6
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) May 1, 2025

Warriors appear to be waiving the white flag.

On to Game 6 🚀
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) May 1, 2025

In Year 2, Amen Thompson was the best player on the floor in a playoff game. You don't see that often.
— Carson Breber (@Carsobi) May 1, 2025

still can’t get over how early Steve Kerr threw in the towel but also I totally get it, can’t be mad
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) May 1, 2025

Rockets fans: You feeling like Houston found something sustainable tonight to at least force a Game 7? Or is this more a one-off?
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 1, 2025

3-2 pic.twitter.com/klXT8mSeRx
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 1, 2025

First time since 2018 that Steph Curry has had back-to-back playoff games with < 20 points

The last time was also versus the Rockets.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) May 1, 2025

Would appear the Warriors have pulled the plug halfway through the 3rd quarter. See y’all in Golden State.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) May 1, 2025

Warriors will now move on to 2-6 in Game 5s on the road.

via @statmuse pic.twitter.com/JbkjSDA5NF
— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) May 1, 2025

… put your starters back in 👀
— Kofie (@Kofie) May 1, 2025

The Warriors bench was playing so well in the fourth quarter that Ime Udoka just had to put his starters back in.

Advantage Golden State in this situation, as Kerr will ride things out with the end of the bench.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) May 1, 2025

Pat Spencer first player ejected in this series. https://t.co/3dwEYvifhJ
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) May 1, 2025

Technical fouls given Alperen Sengun and Trayce Jackson-Davis on the Warriors (who cares — someone in the locker room will pay his fine).

Pat Spencer gets ejected for head-butting Sengun.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) May 1, 2025

Rockets, what are you doing?
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 1, 2025

I know the third stringers got you here but I really feel like Steve Kerr should probably sub Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler in
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) May 1, 2025

Alperen Sengun and Trayce Jackson-Davis received offsetting technicals after a scuffle at the end of Warriors-Rockets.

Pat Spencer was ejected for head-butting Sengun. pic.twitter.com/KMaqM9Cc5P
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 1, 2025

Why did this game get so good out of nowhere 😭
— Alex (@AlexHoops_) May 1, 2025

This game is finally over, as the Rockets win 131-116 and survive to fight in Game 6 on Friday night in San Francisco.

Steph and the Warriors starters did not play the final 18 minutes of this game, as Steve Kerr decided to save their energy and health with the game out of hand.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) May 1, 2025

Amen Thompson with 25-6-3-5-3 in the win. He becomes just the third player in the steals & blocks era (and the first since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1986) to reach or exceed those numbers in a playoff game

(h/t @stathead)
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) May 1, 2025

The Rockets and Warriors will play Game 6 in San Francisco on Friday, May 2.