Warriors Win a Nail-Biter in Game 7: Stephen Curry Responds Harshly to His Critics

The Golden State Warriors have done it again. In a dramatic showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Warriors clinched a 103-89 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 7 of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Stephen Curry, now 37 years old, put on a clutch performance, scoring 14 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to help his team secure the win and advance to the next round. But what made headlines just as much as the win was Curry’s fiery postgame comments aimed directly at his critics.

Stephen Curry’s Clutch Brilliance Silences Doubts

After suffering a disappointing Game 6 loss at home just two nights earlier (115-107), many began to doubt the Warriors’ ability to close out the series. Curry, who has built his career on defying expectations, responded in trademark fashion. In the fourth quarter of Game 7, when the stakes were highest, Curry exploded for 14 points, orchestrating a flawless offense and displaying the mental fortitude that has defined his legendary career.

Curry’s stat line was more than impressive: 22 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. It was a complete game performance by a player often criticized for being one-dimensional or overly reliant on his shooting. But this time, Curry showed once again that he is more than just a shooter—he’s a leader, a playmaker, and a future Hall of Famer.

What stood out most was not just the numbers, but the timing. Curry hit crucial baskets in transition, including a pair of deep threes and a driving layup that broke the Rockets’ momentum in the final minutes. His leadership on the floor kept the Warriors composed as Houston tried to mount a comeback.

Buddy Hield Emerges as a Game-Changer

While Stephen Curry grabbed the spotlight for his fourth-quarter heroics, it was Buddy Hield who was arguably the MVP of the night. The veteran shooting guard, acquired in the offseason, finally found his rhythm and delivered a lights-out performance when it mattered most.

Hield scored 33 points and nailed 9 of 11 three-point attempts, spreading the floor and stretching Houston’s defense to the breaking point. His shooting was instrumental in building the Warriors’ lead and maintaining it when the Rockets made a late push. It was a breakout playoff performance that couldn’t have come at a better time.

Hield’s contributions were not limited to scoring. He played with high energy on both ends of the court, recording 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Most importantly, he showed chemistry with Curry, giving the Warriors a deadly backcourt combination that could be a game-changer in the next round.

Golden State Warriors Show Depth and Grit

What separated the Warriors from the Rockets in this Game 7 clash wasn’t just top-end talent—it was depth, experience, and mental resilience. Despite being pushed to the brink, Golden State relied on contributions from multiple players. Veteran forward Draymond Green played stifling defense and helped keep emotions in check, while Jonathan Kuminga brought energy and athleticism off the bench.

Klay Thompson, although not having a high-scoring night, played smart basketball and knocked down timely shots to halt Rockets runs. Meanwhile, Andrew Wiggins made his presence felt with tenacious defense on Houston’s star scorers and added 12 points of his own.

Golden State’s ability to get production from its full roster was a testament to the championship culture that head coach Steve Kerr has cultivated over the years. The game plan was clear—defend aggressively, move the ball, and trust the system. The Warriors executed that plan to perfection in the final 12 minutes of the game.

Stephen Curry Fires Back at Critics After Game 7 Victory

After the final buzzer sounded and Golden State completed its hard-fought victory, Stephen Curry was asked about the team’s ability to rebound from the Game 6 loss and perform under pressure in Game 7. His response was fiery, defiant, and headline-worthy.

“That’s resilience. Everybody is stepping up,” Curry said during the postgame interview with Lauren Jbara of TNT Sports. “Everyone’s been talking about our team over the last two games—execution, energy, all that. People have doubted us the whole year. We hear it.”

He didn’t stop there. Curry directly addressed the criticism that has followed the Warriors all season long—claims that the dynasty is over, that the core of Curry, Thompson, and Green is past its prime, and that Golden State lacks the stamina to compete in a younger, faster Western Conference.

“To everyone who said we’re washed, that we’re too old—keep that same energy,” Curry added with a smile. “We’re not done.”

His comments ignited social media. Warriors fans rallied around their leader, while critics began reevaluating their takes. The statement was vintage Curry: confident, passionate, and utterly unconcerned with public opinion. It was clear that the heart of the Warriors still beats strong—and it’s wearing No. 30.

Houston Rockets Falter Under Pressure

For the Houston Rockets, the Game 7 loss was devastating. After a promising series where they pushed the defending champs to the brink, they simply ran out of gas. Their star player Jalen Green, who had been electric in Game 6, struggled to find rhythm, shooting just 5-of-17 from the field and finishing with 14 points.

Alperen Şengün had 19 points and 11 rebounds, but lacked the help needed to combat Golden State’s diverse offense. The Rockets also suffered from poor three-point shooting, going just 8-for-32 as a team. In contrast, the Warriors hit 16 threes, nine of them coming from Buddy Hield.

More than stats, it was composure that separated the two teams. The Rockets committed 17 turnovers, many of them unforced, and appeared rattled by the Warriors’ aggressive defense and playoff experience. It’s a lesson for a young team still learning how to win under pressure.

Warriors Prepare for the Next Round

With the victory, the Warriors advance to the Western Conference Semifinals, where they’ll face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Phoenix Suns, depending on the outcome of their series. Curry acknowledged the road ahead won’t get any easier.

“We’re gonna enjoy this win tonight, but tomorrow, it’s back to work,” he said. “We know we have to be even better in the next round.”

Golden State will need to tighten up defensively and improve in transition. Despite the win, the Rockets outscored them on fast breaks and exposed some weaknesses in perimeter coverage. However, the emergence of Buddy Hield, along with Curry’s resurgence, gives the Warriors a new offensive weapon that could prove pivotal moving forward.

Legacy Talk: Is This One More Run for the Dynasty?

With this Game 7 win, the conversation about the Golden State Warriors dynasty is back on the table. Can this group of veterans make one more run at an NBA title? The combination of experience, talent, and motivation seems to be aligning once again.

Curry’s leadership, Thompson’s quiet confidence, Green’s tenacity, and the injection of energy from younger players like Kuminga and Moses Moody create an ideal blend. And if Hield continues his current shooting form, he might be the X-factor the Warriors needed to offset any signs of aging.

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are far from over, but Game 7 against Houston might be remembered as the moment when the Warriors reminded the world why they can never be counted out. Whether they go all the way or not, Stephen Curry’s performance, combined with his defiant message to critics, has already etched this victory into franchise lore.

Final Thoughts

In a high-stakes Game 7, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors proved once again that championship DNA can’t be measured by age or doubters’ opinions. Curry’s late-game heroics and his passionate message afterward set the tone for a team that’s far from done. With Buddy Hield emerging as a lethal threat and the supporting cast stepping up, the Warriors are sending a clear message to the rest of the NBA: don’t count them out just yet.