Game ID: 22501142
Houston Rockets @ Golden State Warriors
Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 10:00 PM ET
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
GSW 31 22 29 34 116HOU 26 29 37 25 117
GSW vs HOU ScoutingGSW vs HOU Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
GSW availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Ste. Curry missed 23 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Horford missed 7 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Post missed 2 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 2 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Set. Curry missed 7 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Leons missed 2 since 3/23, returns tonight: 3 min (26% of 11)
BACK Moody back 3/23 after 10, 34 min since (133% of 26)
BACK Cryer back 3/20 after 2, 17 min since (108% of 16)
NEW Santos 20 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Payton II 16 to 23 min over the last 4
GSW availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Ste. Curry missed 24 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Moody missed 2 since 3/25, out tonight
OUT Horford missed 8 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Post missed 3 since 3/23, returns tonight: 5 min (27% of 17)
OUT Williams missed 3 since 3/23, returns tonight: 11 min (67% of 17)
OUT Set. Curry missed 8 since 3/15, returns tonight: 7 min (54% of 13)
BACK Cryer back 3/20 after 2, 19 min since (120% of 16)
BACK Leons back 3/27 after 2, 3 min since (26% of 11)
NEW Santos 20 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Payton II 16 to 24 min over the last 4
GSW availability going into 4/01 · 2 days' restOUT Ste. Curry missed 25 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Moody missed 3 since 3/25, out tonight
OUT Horford missed 9 since 3/15, out tonight
BACK Post back 3/29 after 3, 5 min since (27% of 17)
BACK Williams back 3/29 after 3, 11 min since (67% of 17)
BACK Set. Curry back 3/29 after 8, 7 min since (54% of 13)
BACK Leons back 3/27 after 2, 3 min since (31% of 11)
NEW Santos 20 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Payton II 16 to 23 min over the last 4
GSW availability going into 4/02 · back-to-backOUT Ste. Curry missed 26 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Moody missed 4 since 3/25, not on tonight's roster
OUT Horford missed 10 since 3/15, out tonight
BACK Post back 3/29 after 3, 5 min since (27% of 17)
BACK Williams back 3/29 after 3, 29 min since (170% of 17)
BACK Set. Curry back 3/29 after 8, 9 min since (65% of 13)
BACK Leons back 3/27 after 2, 12 min since (109% of 11)
NEW Santos 20 to 34 min over the last 4
NEW Payton II 16 to 23 min over the last 4
GSW availability going into 4/05 · 2 days' restOUT Ste. Curry missed 27 since 2/03, returns tonight: 26 min (84% of 31)
OUT Horford missed 11 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Post missed 2 since 4/01, out tonight
BACK Williams back 3/29 after 3, 29 min since (170% of 17)
BACK Set. Curry back 3/29 after 8, 9 min since (65% of 13)
BACK Leons back 3/27 after 2, 12 min since (109% of 11)
NEW Santos 20 to 33 min over the last 4
NEW Cryer 16 to 21 min over the last 5
NEW Payton II 16 to 24 min over the last 4
GSW availability going into 4/07 · 1 day's restOUT Horford missed 12 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Post missed 3 since 4/01, not on tonight's roster
OUT Williams missed 2 since 4/02, out tonight
OUT Leons missed 2 since 4/02, returns tonight: 21 min (189% of 11)
BACK Ste. Curry back 4/05 after 27, 26 min since (84% of 31)
BACK Set. Curry back 3/29 after 8, 10 min since (75% of 13)
NEW Santos 20 to 32 min over the last 4
NEW Cryer 16 to 23 min over the last 4
NEW Payton II 16 to 25 min over the last 4
GSW availability going into 4/09 · 1 day's restOUT Horford missed 13 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 3 since 4/02, returns tonight: 34 min (202% of 17)
OUT Cryer missed 2 since 4/05, returns tonight: 15 min (94% of 16)
BACK Ste. Curry back 4/05 after 27, 26 min since (83% of 31)
BACK Post back 3/29 after 3, 5 min since (27% of 17)
BACK Set. Curry back 3/29 after 8, 12 min since (87% of 13)
BACK Leons back 4/07 after 2, 21 min since (189% of 11)
NEW Santos 20 to 32 min over the last 3
NEW Spencer 19 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Payton II 16 to 25 min over the last 4
GSW availability going into 4/10 · back-to-backOUT Porziņģis missed 2 since 4/07, returns tonight: 26 min (109% of 24)
OUT Horford missed 14 since 3/15, returns tonight: 18 min (83% of 22)
OUT Santos missed 2 since 4/07, returns tonight: 27 min (131% of 20)
OUT Richard missed 2 since 4/07, returns tonight: 2 min (12% of 20)
BACK Ste. Curry back 4/05 after 27, 26 min since (83% of 31)
BACK Williams back 4/09 after 3, 34 min since (202% of 17)
BACK Cryer back 4/09 after 2, 15 min since (94% of 16)
BACK Leons back 4/07 after 2, 23 min since (203% of 11)
NEW Spencer 19 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Payton II 16 to 23 min over the last 4
GSW availability going into 4/12 · 1 day's restBACK Ste. Curry back 4/05 after 27, 26 min since (85% of 31)
BACK Porziņģis back 4/10 after 2, 26 min since (109% of 24)
BACK Horford back 4/10 after 14, 18 min since (83% of 22)
BACK Santos back 4/10 after 2, 27 min since (131% of 20)
BACK Richard back 4/10 after 2, 2 min since (12% of 20)
BACK Williams back 4/09 after 3, 34 min since (202% of 17)
BACK Cryer back 4/09 after 2, 15 min since (94% of 16)
BACK Leons back 4/07 after 2, 19 min since (171% of 11)
NEW Spencer 19 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Payton II 16 to 21 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Newton missed 8 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Holiday back 3/20 after 3, 16 min since (115% of 14)
HOU availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Finney-Smith missed 2 since 3/27, out tonight
OUT Newton missed 9 since 3/13, out tonight
HOU availability going into 4/01 · back-to-backOUT Finney-Smith missed 3 since 3/27, out tonight
OUT Newton missed 10 since 3/13, out tonight
HOU availability going into 4/03 · 1 day's restOUT Finney-Smith missed 4 since 3/27, returns tonight: 9 min (56% of 16)
OUT Newton missed 11 since 3/13, out tonight
HOU availability going into 4/05 · 1 day's restOUT Newton missed 12 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Finney-Smith back 4/03 after 4, 9 min since (56% of 16)
HOU availability going into 4/07 · 1 day's restOUT Newton missed 13 since 3/13, out tonight
BACK Finney-Smith back 4/03 after 4, 9 min since (56% of 16)
HOU availability going into 4/09 · 1 day's restOUT Finney-Smith missed 2 since 4/05, out tonight
OUT Newton missed 14 since 3/13, out tonight
HOU availability going into 4/10 · back-to-backOUT Finney-Smith missed 3 since 4/05, out tonight
OUT Newton missed 15 since 3/13, out tonight
HOU availability going into 4/12 · 1 day's restOUT Finney-Smith missed 4 since 4/05, returns tonight: 21 min (129% of 16)
OUT Newton missed 16 since 3/13, returns tonight: 12 min (100% of 12)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 119, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Santos at 23 and Podziemski at 21 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Ste. Curry (27 straight), Horford (11 straight), Post (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 105, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 23 free throws a game; Durant at 23 and Sengun at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 105 a night to Golden State's 119 and the turnovers, Golden State giving it away 15 times a game to Houston's 9. Call it Houston 117, Golden State 111.
3/27 vs WAS 131-126 — GSW notes
GSW won 131-126. GSW shot 52% (44 of 85) to WAS's 53%, 19 of 44 from three, and went to the line 31 times to WAS's 10 — 24 points from the stripe to their 8. Porziņģis led with 28 (9 of 17, 5 of 11 from three, 5 of 7 at the line); Santos added 27, Podziemski 22. The hinge was Q1, 38-25: from level to 13 ahead, and the lead reached 16. Cryer was the night's best plus/minus at +11.
3/29 @ DEN 93-116 — GSW notes
GSW lost 93-116. GSW shot 42% (35 of 83) to DEN's 50%, 14 of 42 from three. Podziemski led with 23 (8 of 14, 5 of 8 from three); Porziņģis added 23, Payton II 16. Q1 was theirs, 28-23, but the other 3 periods went 93-65 against them. They led by as many as 13. Melton's -29 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/01 vs SAS 113-127 — GSW notes
GSW lost 113-127. GSW shot 49% (42 of 86) to SAS's 47%, 14 of 35 from three, and got to the line 18 times to SAS's 30. Williams led with 18 (8 of 18, 2 of 4 from three); Yurtseven added 17, Cryer 17. Q3 was theirs, 34-26, the deficit cut from 21 to 13, but the other 3 periods went 101-79 against them. Richard's -18 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/02 vs CLE 111-118 — GSW notes
GSW lost 111-118. GSW took 12 more shots (94 to 82), fed by 12 offensive rebounds, but shot 44% to CLE's 51%, 12 of 44 from three, and got to the line 20 times to CLE's 26. Podziemski led with 25 (9 of 15, 2 of 5 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Santos added 25, Porziņģis 16. Q3 was theirs, 33-30, the deficit cut from 7 to 4, but the other 3 periods went 88-78 against them. Porziņģis's -16 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/05 vs HOU 116-117 — GSW notes
GSW lost 116-117. GSW shot 50% (42 of 84) to HOU's 55%, 14 of 40 from three. St. Curry led with 29 (11 of 21, 5 of 10 from three); Podziemski added 18, Santos 15. Q4 was theirs, 34-25, the deficit cut from 10 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 92-82 against them. Porziņģis's -10 in 23 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/07 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 121, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Podziemski at 20 and Porziņģis at 19 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Horford (12 straight), Post (3 straight), Williams (2 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 121, shooting 48 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; DeRozan at 18 and Achiuwa at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Murray (19 straight), LaVine (26 straight), Hunter (26 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-7 a night and Golden State minus-2 and the turnovers, Sacramento giving it away 15 times a game to Golden State's 12. Call it Golden State 119, Sacramento 113.
4/09 vs LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Podziemski at 20 and Santos at 16 a game. Without Horford (13 straight), Williams (3 straight), Cryer (2 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 122, shooting 50 percent and 32 from three, 30 free throws a game; James at 20 and Reaves at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Reaves (2 straight), Smart (8 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the line, where the Lakers take 30 free throws a game to Golden State's 19 and the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-2 a night and Golden State minus-3. Call it Golden State 116, the Lakers 114, the Lakers keeping it close.
4/10 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 118, shooting 48 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; DeRozan at 17 and Clifford at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Murray (20 straight), LaVine (27 straight), Hunter (27 straight). 2 days' rest. Golden State comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Podziemski at 19 and Cryer at 12 a game. Without Porziņģis (2 straight), Horford (14 straight), Santos (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-7 a night and Golden State minus-3. Call it Sacramento 116, Golden State 115, Golden State keeping it close.
4/12 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Leonard at 26 and Garland at 16 a game. They have lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Bogdanović (3 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 117, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Podziemski at 22 and Ste. Curry at 19 a game. One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it the Clippers 116, Golden State 112, Golden State keeping it close.
3/29 @ NOP 134-102 — HOU notes
HOU won 134-102. HOU shot 47% (49 of 105) to NOP's 43%, 18 of 44 from three, and got to the line 21 times to NOP's 28. The glass went 59-36 for them. Sengun led with 36 (12 of 23, 5 of 7 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Smith Jr. added 20, Durant 20. The hinge was Q2, 39-18: from level to 21 ahead, and the lead reached 33. Holiday was the night's best plus/minus at +41.
3/31 vs NYK 111-94 — HOU notes
HOU won 111-94. HOU shot 54% (42 of 78) to NYK's 42%, 15 of 35 from three. Durant led with 27 (10 of 18, 4 of 7 from three); Sheppard added 20, Thompson 17. The hinge was Q1, 37-21: from level to 16 ahead, and the lead reached 21. Durant was the night's best plus/minus at +28.
4/01 vs MIL 119-113 — HOU notes
HOU won 119-113. HOU shot 47% (41 of 87) to MIL's 47%, 18 of 42 from three, and went to the line 22 times to MIL's 16 — 19 points from the stripe to their 12. HOU turned it over 7 times to MIL's 15. Sheppard led with 27 (9 of 15, 9 of 14 from three); Sengun added 25, Durant 19. The hinge was Q1, 27-20: from level to 7 ahead, and the lead reached 20. Sheppard was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
4/03 vs UTA 140-106 — HOU notes
HOU won 140-106. HOU shot 55% (51 of 92) to UTA's 45%, 15 of 32 from three, and went to the line 30 times to UTA's 22 — 23 points from the stripe to their 15. Durant led with 25 (8 of 12, 2 of 4 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Thompson added 21, Sengun 19. The hinge was Q1, 34-22: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 37. Sheppard was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
4/05 @ GSW 117-116 — HOU notes
HOU won 117-116. HOU shot 55% (44 of 80) to GSW's 50%, 13 of 29 from three. Durant led with 31 (10 of 17, 3 of 6 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Sengun added 24, Smith Jr. 23. The hinge was Q3, 37-29: a lead of 2 became 10, and the lead reached 15. Smith Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
4/07 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 113, shooting 48 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Booker at 30 and Green at 22 a game. One day's rest. Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 106, shooting 51 percent and 43 from three, 22 free throws a game; Durant at 24 and Sengun at 23 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the arc, Houston at 43 percent from three to Phoenix's 36 and the turnovers, Phoenix giving it away 14 times a game to Houston's 9. Call it Phoenix 115, Houston 114, Houston keeping it close.
4/09 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 107, shooting 51 percent and 43 from three, 21 free throws a game; Durant at 25 and Thompson at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Finney-Smith (2 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Embiid at 26 and George at 23 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Houston at 43 percent from three to Philadelphia's 35 and the defense, Houston allowing 107 a night to Philadelphia's 117. Call it Houston 119, Philadelphia 110.
4/10 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 108, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Thompson at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Finney-Smith (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Minnesota comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Randle at 23 and Dosunmu at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Edwards (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-6 a night and Minnesota minus-7 and the defense, Houston allowing 108 a night to Minnesota's 117. Call it Houston 117, Minnesota 112.
4/12 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 113, shooting 52 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Durant at 28 and Thompson at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Finney-Smith (4 straight). One day's rest. Memphis comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 137, shooting 42 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Coward at 18 and Rupert at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 13 a night. Without Spencer (2 straight), Jackson (2 straight), Small (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-10 a night and Memphis minus-13 and the defense, Houston allowing 113 a night to Memphis's 137. Call it Houston 125, Memphis 112, Houston by 13.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
GSWBP B. Podziemski
CB C. Bassey
DG D. Green
DM D. Melton
GP G. Payton II
GS G. Santos
KP K. Porziņģis
PS P. Spencer
PO Porzingis
SC S. Curry
SC St. Curry
WR W. Richard
HOUAH A. Holiday
AS A. Sengun
AT A. Thompson
CC C. Capela
JO J. Okogie
JS J. Smith Jr.
JT J. Tate
KD K. Durant
RS R. Sheppard
TE T. Eason
GSW/HOU the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Kevin Durant, Rockets spoil Stephen Curry's return from injury, beat Warriors 117-116
SAN FRANCISCO -- — Alperen Sengun made the go-ahead layup with 11 seconds left on a pass from Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets held off Stephen Curry in his return after being sidelined more than two months for a 117-116 victory Sunday night.
Curry missed a long, straightaway 3-pointer in the final seconds.
Gary Payton II scored the go-ahead basket on a goaltend by Amen Thompson with 20 seconds left, but Durant took charge on the other end. He finished with 31 points, eight rebounds and eight assists against his former team, making a crucial 3-pointer with 2:10 remaining.
But he missed with 38 seconds left, and Draymond Green found a cutting Payton in the key.
Curry dazzled down the stretch to score 29 points on 11-for-21 shooting in 26 minutes after missing 27 straight games because of a right knee injury — his first action since Jan. 30 against Detroit.
Curry's driving layup made it a one-point game with 1:27 left then Sengun converted a three-point play moments later only for Curry to hit a 3 on the other end.
Curry entered to a warm standing ovation and greetings on the big screen — he also expressed his gratitude on video — when he entered with 4:54 left in the opening quarter. It marked the first time he has come off the bench in a regular-season game since March 7, 2012, against Memphis. He last was a reserve in Game 4 of the first round of the 2022 playoffs during the Warriors’ last championship run.
Things briefly got heated midway through the second quarter when Green and Jabari Smith Jr. exchanged words and had to be separated. Smith wound up with 23 points and nine rebounds while Sengun added 24 points and Thompson 18 and seven assists.
Curry and younger brother Seth played together for the first time when Stephen re-entered the game at the 6:19 mark of the second quarter, the first time two brothers have been together in Warriors franchise history, according to Elias.
Seth Curry appeared in six preseason games for Golden State in 2013 then played for the team’s G League Santa Cruz Warriors that year — with the brothers playing all of 100 seconds together during the fourth quarter of two games during that ’13 preseason.