Rockets Edge Warriors 117-116 Behind Durant

The Houston Rockets beat the Golden State Warriors 117-116 on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Chase Center, with Kevin Durant leading all scorers with 31 points in a tightly contested NBA matchup. Houston survived a late Golden State push and did enough across the middle quarters to come away with the road win.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Golden State opened with the sharper start and took a 31-26 lead after one quarter. The Warriors moved the ball well early, part of a 34-assist night, and Stephen Curry helped set the pace as the home side found good rhythm from the field.

Second Quarter

Houston answered in the second, outscoring Golden State 29-22 to level the game at 55-53 by halftime. The Rockets tightened up their execution, generated quality looks, and steadily erased the Warriors’ early edge behind efficient half-court offense.

Third Quarter

The game turned in the third. Houston put up 37 points in the period, its highest-scoring quarter of the night, while Golden State managed 29. Durant’s shot-making and the Rockets’ overall efficiency helped the visitors build a 92-82 advantage heading into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

Golden State pushed back with a 34-point fourth quarter and nearly completed the comeback, while Houston scored 25. The Warriors made it a one-possession finish, but the Rockets held on by a single point to close out a 117-116 result without overtime.

Key Performers

Kevin Durant was the top performer for Houston, finishing with 31 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks. He also shot efficiently as the focal point of the Rockets’ offense and provided playmaking in key stretches.

Jabari Smith Jr. led Houston on the glass with nine rebounds, helping the Rockets finish with a 38-31 rebounding edge.

For Golden State, Stephen Curry paced the offense with 29 points and kept the Warriors within reach throughout the second half. Draymond Green added 12 assists, driving Golden State’s ball movement, while Kristaps Porzingis grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

NerdSports Stat: Houston won by one despite Golden State posting 34 assists to Houston’s 30, because the Rockets made two fewer field goals attempts but still scored more by shooting 55.0% overall and 44.8% from three.

Game Analysis

This game came down to efficiency and timing. Golden State shot a solid 50.0% from the field and 90.0% at the line, but Houston was even better at 55.0% overall and 44.8% from beyond the arc. That difference was especially important in the second and third quarters, when the Rockets took control of the game.

The Warriors had advantages in assists and fourth-quarter scoring, but Houston’s rebounding margin and cleaner offensive execution across the middle two periods helped offset Golden State’s late momentum. The Rockets also made strong use of their possessions, knocking down 13 three-pointers on only 29 attempts.

For Golden State, the narrow defeat will be frustrating because the comeback was there late. Still, the 34 points in the fourth quarter showed the offensive pace and shot creation the Warriors can reach when Curry is leading the action and Green is organizing the floor.

Closing Context

The win moves Houston to 49-29, an important result as the Rockets continue to strengthen their position in the Western Conference playoff race. Golden State dropped to 36-42, making this one-point loss more significant as the Warriors try to improve their standing in the crowded conference picture over the final stretch of the regular season.

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