Rockets Earn CLUTCH Win Vs Warriors As Kevin Durant & Alperen Sengun SPOIL Stephen Curry's RETURN

The Houston Rockets secured a hard-fought 117-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors in a dramatic, rollercoaster game that saw them lead by as many as 15 points before enduring a furious Warriors comeback. The game's climax came in the final minutes, where Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün executed a textbook two-man game to deliver the go-ahead bucket, sealing the win. Despite defensive lapses—particularly on backdoor cuts and overcommitting to Steph Curry—the Rockets managed to survive thanks to clutch performances from Durant, Şengün, Amin Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr., who was a consistent offensive spark with 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting. The team’s ability to respond to runs, especially during the Warriors’ 15-3 surge in the fourth quarter, highlighted their resilience. However, concerns remain about bench depth, with Tari Eason struggling and Jaylen Watkins (Jay Sean Tate) failing to provide spacing, while Reed Shepard’s absence hurt defensive cohesion. The win marks the Rockets’ sixth in a row, keeping their playoff hopes alive as they eye the fourth seed.