Fred VanVleet didn’t just lead the Houston Rockets in scoring during their 115-107 Game 6 win over the Golden State Warriors — he led with poise, precision, and perspective.
Speaking after the win, VanVleet emphasized that calmness in high-pressure moments comes from both experience and mindset. “Being able to play in enough of these games to realize a calm, steady mind is the best path forward,” he said.
The veteran guard delivered 29 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in 39 minutes, continuing a red-hot postseason stretch that has seen him shoot 66.7% from three over the past three games.
Asked about stepping up in the playoffs, VanVleet acknowledged the shift. “You work all year and you train all summer for these moments,” he said. “I’ve taken a different role for this team over the last two years… but I’m ready and willing when the time comes to step up and make big plays.”
Despite his own output, VanVleet repeatedly highlighted the team’s balance and growth. “Different guys were huge. Alpie obviously was huge as usual. Steven Adams — incredible,” he said. “It’s going to take everybody. It’s not really just about me.”
VanVleet praised the young Rockets for how they’ve settled into postseason play. “Once you get that initial shock out of the way, being able to settle in and play basketball the way that we’ve played all year,” he said. “If we play our game at a high enough level, we’ll always have a chance to win.”
The 31-year-old said he was never surprised by the composure shown by Houston’s young core. “I’ve believed in these guys since I got here,” VanVleet said. “I’m more surprised when they don’t rise to the moment, because I know how much talent we have.”
VanVleet’s leadership has also been felt off the floor, according to teammate Alperen Sengun. “He’s amazing… even when he wasn’t playing this year, he was still leading us,” Sengun said.
In describing the Rockets’ fourth-quarter defensive lockdown — which held the Warriors without a field goal for nearly eight minutes — VanVleet credited discipline and energy. “Just flying around, having effort, being physical,” he said. “We know the guys that we want to limit their touches and their shots.”
When asked if moments like this were what he envisioned when he signed with Houston, VanVleet was candid. “It was hard to see that far,” he said. “But it’s just a testament to these young guys and how far they’ve come in such a short amount of time.”
The Rockets forced a Game 7 with the win and now return to Houston for a chance to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals.
VanVleet closed with a reminder that the job isn’t done yet. “It’s not time to celebrate yet. We got to stay focused and get ready to play again.”
