In a tense Western Conference clash on Sunday, the Golden State Warriors (46-32) saw their five-game winning streak come to a halt against the Houston Rockets (52-27), who claimed a decisive 106-96 victory. Houston’s defense, led by standout performances from Dillon Brooks and Alperen Sengun, was the key factor in the Warriors’ struggles.
Head coach Steve Kerr, addressing the media after the loss, praised the Rockets’ defense. “They were great. Ball pressure – they forced 20 turnovers. They’ve been one of the hottest teams in the league and probably the best defensive team in the league this last month,” Kerr said. The Rockets had been playing at a high level, and it was clear they came prepared to disrupt Golden State’s flow.
The Warriors faced a particularly challenging night offensively, with their superstar Stephen Curry enduring one of his toughest games of the season. Curry was limited to just three points, shooting 1-for-10 from the field, including a cold 1-for-8 from three-point range. Kerr acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, stating, “There’s just games where you don’t have it. Every player, no matter how good you are… Steph didn’t have it tonight.”
Despite Curry’s struggles, the Warriors were not without highlights. Brandin Podziemski stepped up, leading the team with 19 points. Buddy Hield also contributed with 20 points off the bench. However, the Rockets’ defense and overall energy were too much to overcome.
Kerr also spoke about the challenges posed by Houston’s size and athleticism. “They have great size and athleticism at pretty much every position,” Kerr explained. The Rockets’ length and defensive intensity gave the Warriors fits throughout the game. Houston’s defense forced Golden State into tough shots, resulting in the Warriors shooting only 41.6% from the field and 37.2% from beyond the arc.
Alperen Sengun was a standout for the Rockets, recording a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds. He was a constant presence on both ends of the floor, and his strong performance helped keep the Warriors at bay. Jalen Green also contributed with 21 points, while Jabari Smith Jr. added 16 points, despite battling through a right ankle sprain before the game.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred during the third quarter when Draymond Green was ejected after receiving a Flagrant 1 foul for a hard driving layup into Sengun. The review deemed the contact to Sengun’s neck significant enough to warrant the flagrant foul. Green’s ejection was a turning point, and Kerr commented on his player’s fiery energy. “I love Draymond’s fire. There’s a reason we’ve got four banners up there,” Kerr said, acknowledging Green’s intensity even if it didn’t go the Warriors’ way.
Despite the loss, Kerr remained focused on the bigger picture, recognizing that the Warriors are still in the playoff hunt. He noted that the team has had an impressive run over the past few weeks, climbing back into the playoff conversation after a rough stretch. “Our guys have done an incredible job to climb up to this point from where we were six weeks ago,” Kerr said. “What an incredible run.”
With the loss, Golden State remains in the thick of a tightly contested Western Conference. Kerr emphasized the importance of moving forward and focusing on the next game, stating, “Just quickly move on. I’m going home to watch The White Lotus, then get on the plane tomorrow.”
Houston’s win boosts their position in the standings as they remain in second place in the West, with only three games left in the regular season. The Rockets have shown that they are a team to be reckoned with, and their defensive prowess will be a key factor in their push for a top seed in the playoffs.
For the Warriors, this defeat serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of the NBA. As Kerr put it, “It’s just competitive. You’ve got two very competitive teams… fighting for everything.” The Warriors will now shift their focus to their next game, determined to bounce back from this tough loss and secure their playoff spot.
