Ime Udoka Delivers Straightforward Message After Rockets’ Game 4 Loss to Warriors
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka made sure to set the tone of physicality early in Game 4 against the Golden State Warriors, a hallmark of his coaching style. The game saw its fair share of technical fouls and a flagrant foul as both teams exchanged physical plays throughout the first half.
“Go get a win,” said Rockets head coach Ime Udoka about the message he gave his young team about getting a victory down 3-1 heading into Game 5. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/vHz269cmsO
— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) April 29, 2025
However, the Warriors’ playoff experience showed in the second half, with key performances from Jimmy Butler and Brandin Podziemski, allowing Golden State to edge out the Rockets 109-106. Despite the Rockets leading at halftime, Udoka kept his message clear and direct to his team after the loss.
“Go get a win,” Udoka told his players, who now find themselves down 3-1 in the series as they head into Game 5 back in Houston. While Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, who scored 25 points and made eight three-pointers, has an NBA Championship, the rest of the Houston roster is largely playoff-inexperienced.
Houston’s last playoff appearance was in 2020 when James Harden was still on the roster. Since then, the team has missed the postseason for four consecutive years, which allowed them to build up a promising young core with players like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson.
Ime Udoka on whether he'll change the starting lineup:
"Yeah, we'll take a look at everything" pic.twitter.com/rLoLuOCar2
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) April 29, 2025
In his post-game comments, Udoka emphasized that the team would review everything, including the starting lineup, as they look to regroup and fight back in the series. Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday at the Toyota Center, with tip-off at 7:30 p.m. EST.
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