Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka expressed frustration following his team’s 109-106 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series. The loss leaves Houston facing a 3-1 deficit, with their playoff hopes on the line.
The game featured a standout performance from Alperen Sengun, who scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Despite Sengun’s impressive efforts, Udoka acknowledged the challenges of closing out the game, particularly in the final moments. “It was okay,” Udoka said about the final play after the timeout, where Sengun missed a shot against Draymond Green. “We tried to get a switch with Payton, so we didn’t get a great screen and kept the matchup. But we got a decent look.”
Houston’s double-big lineup, featuring Sengun alongside Steven Adams, kept the Rockets competitive, especially after a difficult start to both halves. “The double-big lineup was the reason we stayed in the game,” Udoka noted, adding that the third-quarter run by the Warriors had been especially damaging. “They beat us on the offensive glass and second-chance points.”
The Rockets’ shooting woes from the free-throw line were another key issue in the loss. “We missed 12 tonight. It’s not good enough in a one-possession game,” Udoka said. “If you’re going to make some of the mistakes we are, it’d be good to cash those in and give us a little margin for error.”
Despite the loss, Udoka remains focused on the team’s next opportunity. “Go get a win. Let’s play a sound, disciplined game,” he urged. “We have to be much more consistent.”
As the series heads back to Houston, the Rockets will need to win Game 5 to extend their season. The pressure is on, but Udoka’s message is clear: consistency and discipline will be key to keeping the Rockets’ playoff hopes alive.
