Between Steph Curry, Draymond Green and midseason acquisition Jimmy Butler, the Golden State Warriors have as much playoff experience as any team in the NBA. Offseason addition Buddy Hield, however, had four career postseason appearances when he joined the Warriors.
>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<
But with their season on the line in a win-or-go-home Game 7 Sunday night, it was Hield who propelled No. 7-seed Golden State past the Houston Rockets and into the second round. The nine-year veteran will not forget his performance inside the Toyota Center anytime soon.
Having scored four total points in Games 5 and 6 (both losses), Hield tied a Game 7 record by knocking down nine of his 11 3-point attempts. He went 12-of-15 from the field for a game-high 33 points in the Warriors’ 103-89 victory.
Two players have EVER hit 9+ threes on at least 80% from deep in a Playoff game:
Buddy Hield (9-11 3PM last night)
Jason Terry (9-10 3PM on May 8, 2011) pic.twitter.com/P6rJvFOLuU— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2025
“It’s a childhood dream,” he said in the postgame press conference. “We all talk about Game 7s. We all want to play in Game 7s, but actually playing in a Game 7 and preparing for it is one of the hardest things ever.”
Hield scored 22 of his points before halftime, including a buzzer-beater from halfcourt to end the first quarter.
SIX splashes for Buddy in the first half.
Keep 'em coming💪 pic.twitter.com/yZc7sAjFnc
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 5, 2025
Speaking with the media after the game, Hield openly discussed the nerves and pressure he felt. He told TNT’s “Inside the NBA” crew that his strong faith in God helped steady him.
“All glory to God, man,” he said. “Without Him this would not be possible. I was really locked in, just keeping my mind right and just talking to God and knowing I had to come through and help my team.”
Hield gave thanks to God again in the postgame press conference.
“Just trying to find my joy,” he said. “I’ve never been in this situation before. Just trying to seize the moment … Tonight was fun. All glory to God.”
Drafted sixth overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016, Golden State is the fifth different organization Hield — who was born in the Bahamas and won the 3-point contest at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game — has played for. He appeared in all 82 games this season, averaging 11.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
In 2021, he became the fastest player in NBA history to make 1,000 3-pointers, breaking the record held by his now-teammate Curry.
Going back to his college days at the University of Oklahoma, Hield has also been outspoken about his faith in the Lord. He regularly thanks God for “Life, Health and Strength” on X and credits his mom, Jackie Swann, for laying the foundation for his relationship with the Lord.
“Psalm 23 is the one I always read, the main one before my games,” he said in a 2016 Sports Spectrum article. “My mom always told me to read that when I was nervous or before a big game. I also like Psalm 91, 27, 35, and 37. I read them before every game. I’m trying to get my mind right.”
These days, he regularly attends the chapel service held before every NBA game. Hield’s former teammate in Indiana and Sacramento, Tyrese Haliburton, said last month that he and Hield would often attend chapel together. Hield also has Proverbs 3:5-6 as his X background and Philippians 4:13 listed in his Instagram bio.
If the Warriors are going to make a run at another NBA title, they’ll need Hield to continue making shots and playing at a high level. They have not reached the conference finals since winning the championship in 2021-22.
The No. 6-seed Minnesota Timberwolves await them in the second round. Game 1 from the Target Center in Minneapolis is at 9:30 p.m. ET Tuesday. The winner of the series will face either the Denver Nuggets or Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
RELATED STORIES:
— Kings’ Buddy Hield fastest to 1,000 career 3-pointers, thanks God daily
— Kings guard Buddy Hield thanks God after winning NBA 3-point contest
— Buddy Hield ‘trusts in God’ as Kings seek return to NBA playoffs
— Tyrese Haliburton leads Pacers in NBA playoffs, finds ‘peace’ in Bible
— Steph Curry leads Warriors to title, earns 1st Finals MVP: ‘God is great’