Rockets Even Series as Butler Injury Clouds Warriors’ Loss

Jalen Green exploded for 38 points, hitting an impressive 8-of-18 from beyond the arc, as the Houston Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors 109-94 in Game 2 on Wednesday, leveling their Western Conference first-round playoff series.

However, the Warriors’ defeat was compounded by an injury to key player Jimmy Butler III, who suffered a pelvic contusion late in the first quarter and did not return. He is scheduled for an MRI to assess the extent of the injury.

Houston, the second seed, maintained control throughout the game, establishing a lead that grew to as large as 20 points in the second half. Green was instrumental in thwarting any comeback attempts by the seventh-seeded Warriors, particularly in the third quarter where he sank three three-pointers and scored 15 points. His eight three-pointers accounted for over half of the Rockets’ total of 15 (on 40 attempts, a solid 37.5 percent). Overall, Houston shot 39-for-86 (45.3 percent) from the field, a significant improvement from their Game 1 loss.

Without the injured Butler, Golden State leaned heavily on their three-point shooting, connecting on 17-of-43 attempts (39.5 percent). However, a poor showing at the free-throw line (11-of-18) hampered their offensive efforts.

Celtics Take 2-0 Lead Despite Tatum’s Absence

In the Eastern Conference, Jaylen Brown stepped up with a game-high 36 points, leading the Boston Celtics to a 109-100 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 2. The Celtics managed to win despite being without their leading scorer, Jayson Tatum. Brown also contributed 10 rebounds and five assists, shooting efficiently from the field (12-of-19, including 5-of-7 from three). Kristaps Porzingis added a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds for the second-seeded Celtics, who now hold a 2-0 series lead. Derrick White (17), Payton Pritchard (14), and Jrue Holiday (11) also reached double figures for Boston. For the seventh-seeded Magic, Paulo Banchero led the way with 32 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Franz Wagner scored 25 and Wendell Carter Jr. added 16.

Cavaliers Hold Off Heat for 2-0 Series Lead

The Cleveland Cavaliers also secured a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series, defeating the visiting Miami Heat 121-112. Donovan Mitchell scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, while Darius Garland contributed 21 points and nine assists for Cleveland. The Cavaliers set a franchise playoff record by making 11 three-pointers in the second quarter alone. Evan Mobley added 20 points and six rebounds, and Mitchell was efficient from beyond the arc, hitting 7-of-10 three-point attempts. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 33 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Bam Adebayo had 11 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists, and Haywood Highsmith scored 17 points, connecting on 5-of-6 three-point attempts.