Akin to that of a single-elimination March Madness clash, a Game Seven often has a way of introducing sometimes-unpredictable heroes who — after a string of unforgettable plays — etch their presence into a franchise’s heart forever. During May 4, 2025’s showdown on the Houston Rockets’ home floor, such an honor belonged to Buddy Hield. Fusing the best traits of “Splash Brothers” both past and present into a one-of-a-kind display, the first-year Golden State Warriors sharpshooter races into one particularly-memorable instance, racing against the clock at the first quarter’s end. Pumping his brakes — ironically — at the Toyota Center’s sidecourt emblem, Hield buries a buzzer-beating 42-footer, offering perhaps a warning sign of what was to come. Eventually the No. 1 scorer on a floor of All-Stars and Most Valuable Players by the final buzzer, Hield’s legacy-defining demonstration encouraged 33 points (on 12-of-15 shooting), accompanied by three rebounds, three assists, one steal, two blocks, and nine trifectas. · May 5, 2025