Gordon cameo provides the Rockets fuel
final minute with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Kevin Durant scored 29 points for the Warriors, who lost in Game 5 of a playoff series for just the second time since 2015.
The Rockets won a second straight defensive struggle between the two potent offences, leaving the Warriors a loss from missing the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
‘‘We had to rely on our defence once again,’’ Harden said. ‘‘Game 4, we weren’t making shots but defensively we were really good. Same thing tonight.’’
Draymond Green made a 3-pointer with just over minute left to get Golden State within one. Harden, who was 0 for 11 on 3s, missed his last one with less than 30 seconds left, giving the Warriors the ball back.
Stephen Curry missed a floater and Trevor Ariza grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 10 seconds left. But he made just one of two free throws to give the Warriors another chance.
But Gordon came up with his steal when Green lost control in the lane and added two free throws with 2.4 seconds left to put it away.
Klay Thompson shook off a knee injury to score 23 points and Curry added 22. A bruised left knee kept Andre Iguodala out for the second straight game, and Kevon Looney started in his place.
After losing Game 1 of the series, the Rockets made the best of homecourt advantage this time, thrilling a sellout crowd that included Justin Timberlake, Houston Texans star JJ Watt and rapper Travis Scott. It was Houston’s second straight win in the series after snapping Golden State’s NBA playoff-record, 16-game home winning streak with a 95-92 victory on Wednesday.
The Rockets honored the 10 people killed in last week’s school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, before the game, with the school’s choir singing the national anthem and team owner Tilman Fertitta wearing a ‘‘Santa Fe Strong’’ T-shirt, before Houston scored the game’s first six points in a first half where they led by as many as 11.