In a thrilling Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Buddy Hield delivered a standout performance to help the Golden State Warriors secure a victory over the Houston Rockets. Despite the Warriors initially leading the series 3-1, the Rockets forced a Game 7, making Hield's contributions critical. Hield scored 22 points in the first half, including six three-pointers and a buzzer-beater from near half-court, ultimately tying the record for most three-pointers made in a Game 7. His 33-point game was remarkable for not including any free-throw attempts, a first in NBA history. The Warriors' triumph was particularly impressive given the absence of Gary Payton II, who was sidelined due to illness.

In Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets, Buddy Hield played a key role in breaking the tie, scoring 33 points in 37 minutes, including 22 points in the first half.

Hield's impressive shooting performance included nine successful three-point shots out of 11 attempts, tying the record for the most three-pointers made in a Game 7, a record previously set by Donte DiVincenzo in 2024.

The Warriors had a challenging series, initially leading 3-1 before the Rockets evened the score, forcing a decisive Game 7 where Hield's performance was crucial in preventing a series upset.

Demonstrating his prowess, Hield hit a dramatic buzzer-beater from near half-court to end the first quarter, contributing to the Warriors' lead against the Rockets.

Despite not taking any free-throw attempts, Hield made NBA history by becoming the first player to score over 30 points in a Game 7 without any free-throw points.

The Warriors faced adversity with the absence of Gary Payton II due to illness, further emphasizing the significance of Hield's offensive outburst in securing the win.

Teddy Ricketson, a digital content producer at The Sporting News, reported on Hield's historic performance, joining the team in 2024 after writing for Vox Media's DK Nation/Network team.

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. 

Per StatMamba, Hield became the first player in NBA history to score 30-plus points in a Game 7 with zero free-throw attempts.

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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 🚨

WARRIORS LEADING BY 4 AFTER 1Q!

🍿 Game 7 on TNT pic.twitter.com/d9FYshq0id

— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2025

Buddy Hield series stats

Here are Hield's stats from the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Rockets.