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In a matchup that saw Golden State's eight-game winning streak come to an end, the Houston Rockets secured a 115-108 victory on Wednesday night. Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 20 points, while Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson each contributed 19 points. The Warriors were forced to play the majority of the contest without superstar Stephen Curry, who exited in the first quarter due to right abdominal soreness and did not return.
Curry, who entered the game ranked second in the NBA with an average of 30.6 points per game, managed only three points before leaving. Without him, Golden State's offense struggled, finishing well below their season average of 120.4 points per game. The Warriors' longest winning streak since 2022 was snapped on a night when they were held to 108 points.
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg stepped up for Golden State, posting 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Brandin Podziemski added 22 points. The Rockets held a nine-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Warriors fought back with 3-pointers from Georges Niang and De'Anthony Melton to cut the deficit to 88-85 with about 10 minutes remaining.
Houston responded with an 8-0 run, highlighted by an alley-oop dunk from Thompson and back-to-back 3-pointers from Reed Sheppard, extending their lead to 96-85 with under nine minutes to play. The Warriors used a 6-0 spurt, including a four-point play by Podziemski, to get within five points. However, consecutive 3-pointers from Sheppard and Fred VanVleet pushed Houston's lead to 102-91 midway through the quarter, sealing the outcome.
In a heated moment late in the third quarter, Houston's Marcus Smart was ejected for punching Golden State's Charles Bassey. The altercation's origin was unclear, but Smart threw a punch that appeared to lightly strike Bassey's nose. Smart was immediately pushed away by two other Warriors, and an official grabbed Bassey around the waist to pull him away. Smart headed straight to the locker room before officials could eject him. After review, he was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected before play resumed.
Key Analysis
The Rockets' victory not only ended the Warriors' longest winning streak in two years but also exposed Golden State's reliance on Curry. With Curry sidelined, the Warriors' offense sputtered, and despite a valiant effort from Lendeborg and Podziemski, they couldn't match Houston's balanced attack. The ejection of Smart added a physical edge to the game, but Houston's composure down the stretch proved decisive. The win marks a significant confidence boost for the Rockets, while the Warriors will look to regroup as they continue their five-game road trip.
Up next, the Warriors visit San Antonio on Friday night, while the Rockets host Utah on Friday night.
Originally reported by yahoo.