Warriors vs Rockets: A Rivalry Rekindled in Epic Clash

San Francisco

Sunday’s showdown at Chase Center between the NBA’s hottest teams had all the makings of a thriller, but the Golden State Warriors’ momentum came to a screeching halt as they were handed a 106-96 loss by the Houston Rockets. Despite riding a 14-3 surge into the game, the Warriors fell short and tumbled from the No. 4 spot to the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference, leaving the standings tighter than ever.

The matchup marked the Warriors’ fifth game of the season against the Rockets — the first time in over two decades they’ve played one team this many times in a season. The energy was palpable, but the Warriors couldn’t find their groove. Steph Curry, fresh off a historic three-game scoring spree, was a ghost, managing only three points on a dismal 1-of-10 shooting performance, including 1-of-8 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Brandin Podziemski continued to shine with 19 points, but it wasn’t enough as Golden State’s bench play and 3-point shooting kept them in the game for only so long.

Houston’s length and athleticism dominated the floor. Despite the Warriors hitting six more threes than the Rockets, Houston crushed them in nearly every category — 26-12 in fastbreak points, 56-40 in points in the paint, and a whopping 18 points off 20 turnovers. The Rockets’ seven blocked shots further added to the Warriors’ frustration.

Here’s the reality of what went down:

Steph’s Silent Night
After lighting up the scoreboard with 52, 37, and 36 points in his last three games, Curry’s explosive run came to an unexpected halt. Held scoreless in the first quarter, Curry’s only contribution came late in the second, with a deep three that put him ahead of Reggie Miller for 24th on the all-time scoring list. Curry’s silence continued into the fourth quarter as he finished with a mere three points — a performance Rockets players Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson, and Fred VanVleet made sure to make happen with tight defense.

Bench Buddies Rising
Coach Steve Kerr turned to the bench early, bringing in Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield. The decision paid off immediately with Hield hitting a clutch three to give the Warriors the lead. The Warriors’ bench outplayed the Rockets’, with Hield contributing 20 points and six 3-pointers. Kuminga, despite a brief stint on the bench, bounced back to add nine points and seven rebounds, helping to keep Golden State’s hopes alive.

The Hate Is Real
When these two teams meet, it’s not just a game — it’s a war. From Draymond Green and Alperen Sengun’s heated exchanges to Curry and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka’s halftime spat, bad blood was bubbling to the surface. Rockets players, fired up and ready for more, were heard declaring, “It’s on now.” This rivalry is anything but over. If these two teams face off in the playoffs, expect an explosive series full of bruises, drama, and possibly blood.