Golden State jumped out to an early series lead in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs over Houston. The Warriors had a 3-1 lead, but they lost back-to-back games as the Rockets forced Game 7.
Golden State knows all about blowing 3-1 leads in the playoffs, and the memes were plentiful. Warriors guard Buddy Hield took it upon himself to ensure that the memes wouldn't come to fruition. He erupted for 22 points in the first half, including a buzzer-beater at the end of the first quarter. Hield had six made three-pointers in the first half, and was eyeing the record for most three-pointers made in a Game 7 in NBA history.
Here is a look at Hield's dominant performance in Game 7 vs. the Rockets and whether he was able to achieve history.
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Buddy Hield Game 7 stats
- 37 minutes
- 33 points
- 3 rebounds
- 3 assists
- 1 steals
- 2 blocks
- 12-5 FG
- 9-11 3FG
- 0-0 FT
Hield was on history watch after the first half. He started off hot from beyond the arc, hitting six threes in the first half. Hield only made three more the rest of the game, but that was still good enough to tie him for the all-time record for made threes in a Game 7. He tied Donte DiVincenzo, who set the record as the Knicks lost to the Pacers on May 19, 2024.
And his offensive outburst couldn't have come at a better time. Golden Stats came into the game short-handed as Gary Payton II is dealing with an illness and was unable to suit up.
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Buddy Hield first quarter buzzer beater video
Hield took the inbound pass as the first quarter was coming to an end. As the seconds ticked away he moved the ball up the court, he took a step past half court and pulled up. Hield drained the shot right as the buzzer went off to signal the end of the first quarter.
BUDDY FROM NEAR HALFCOURT TO END THE FIRST 🚨
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2025
WARRIORS LEADING BY 4 AFTER 1Q!
🍿 Game 7 on TNT pic.twitter.com/d9FYshq0id
Buddy Hield series stats
Here are Hield's stats from the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Rockets.
| Game | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Blocks | Steals | FG% | 3FG% | FT% |
| 1 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 25.0% | 0.0% | - |
| 2 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 50.0% | 33.3% | - |
| 3 | 29 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 46.2% | 45.5% | - |
| 4 | 30 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 40.0% | 33.3% | - |
| 5 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% | 0.0% | - |
| 6 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% | - |
| 7 | 37 | 33 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 80.0% | 81.8% | - |