Updated NBA Playoff Bracket 2025 Picture, Schedule as Warriors-Rockets Goes to Game 7

The Houston Rockets have forced a deciding Game 7 in their NBA Western Conference first-round playoff series after a 115-107 road win over the Golden State Warriors on Friday evening.

And with that, two first-round playoff series remain undecided.

The Denver Nuggets will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, with the winner facing the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference playoffs.

Houston will then host Golden State on Sunday, with the winner taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Round 2.

Here's a look at where everything stands at the moment.

Eastern Conference First-Round Results

No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers 4, No. 8 Miami Heat 0

No. 2 Boston Celtics 4, No. 7 Orlando Magic 1

No. 3 New York Knicks 4, No. 6 Detroit Pistons 2

No. 4 Indiana Pacers 4, No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks 1

Eastern Conference Semifinal Matchups

No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 4 Indiana Pacers

No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 3 New York Knicks

Western Conference First-Round Results

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder 4, No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies 0

No. 2 Houston Rockets 3 vs. No. 7 Golden State Warriors 3

No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves 4, No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers 1

No. 4 Denver Nuggets 3, No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers 3

Western Conference Semifinal Matchups

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4 Denver/No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers

No. 2 Houston/No. 7 Golden State vs. No. 6 Minnesota

Cleveland vs. Indiana Schedule

Boston vs. New York Schedule

Oklahoma City vs. Denver or Los Angeles Clippers

Minnesota vs. Golden State or Houston

Houston primarily forced a Game 7 because of its tremendous fourth quarter, which began with Fred VanVleet's four-point play, setting the tone for a fantastic finish.

Houston ultimately went on a 20-5 run to start the frame and never looked back. VanVleet also hit a massive three to put Houston up by double digits (101-89) with 6:49 left.

The former Wichita State star finished with 29 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Alperen Şengün added 21 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Golden State ultimately had an off-night offensively, as noted by making just 30.6 percent of its threes. Stephen Curry scored 29 points but hit just 9-of-23 shots (6-of-16 from three). Jimmy Butler added a near triple-double (27 points, nine rebounds, eight assists). Only one other Warrior (Moses Moody off the bench with 13 points) scored more than 10.

Now the series shifts back to Houston for the closing Game 7.

It's been an odd series to say the least, with five of the six games being decided by double digits. The only real close game was last Monday, when the Warriors edged the Rockets 109-106 to go up three games to one.

Houston has been tremendous ever since, though. In Game 5, the Rockets won 131-116 after three players scored 24 or more points in VanVleet (26), Amen Thompson (25) and Dillon Brooks (24). In fact, the Rockets took a 27-point lead into the fourth quarter, leading to head coach Steve Kerr clearing the bench early.

That happened again Friday (albeit a little later with 2:24 left) as Houston coasted down the stretch. Once again, VanVleet was hot, marking his third straight game with 25 or more points.

If VanVleet can keep this offensive output up yet again, Houston is frankly going to be hard to beat at home. The Rockets also may not have the superstar power that Golden State possesses in Curry and Butler, but this team runs deep, plays hard and is on the rise.

On the flip side, the Warriors are a team led by Curry, Butler and Draymond Green who know how to win deep in the playoffs. Curry can go off for 40-plus, and/or Playoff Jimmy can erupt in Game 7 and/or Green can be a pest on both ends as he does.

So this will be a fascinating finish, where we'll find out if Houston's time is now or if the Warriors can push the sun back up into the sky.