Game ID: 22500902
Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets
Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT1 Final
HOU 20 27 35 19 12 113GSW 30 21 30 20 14 115
GSW @ HOU ScoutingGSW @ 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.
HOU availability going into 2/25 · 1 day's restBACK Okogie back 2/23 after 2, 13 min since (74% of 17)
BACK Holiday back 2/23 after 5, 6 min since (44% of 14)
NEW Eason 26 to 33 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 2/26 · back-to-backBACK Okogie back 2/23 after 2, 18 min since (106% of 17)
BACK Holiday back 2/23 after 5, 13 min since (98% of 14)
NEW Finney-Smith 16 to 21 min over the last 3
HOU availability going into 2/28 · 1 day's restBACK Okogie back 2/23 after 2, 19 min since (110% of 17)
BACK Holiday back 2/23 after 5, 13 min since (98% of 14)
HOU availability going into 3/02 · 1 day's restBACK Okogie back 2/23 after 2, 16 min since (94% of 17)
BACK Holiday back 2/23 after 5, 12 min since (86% of 14)
HOU availability going into 3/05 · 2 days' restOUT Smith Jr. missed 2 since 2/28, returns tonight: 42 min (119% of 36)
BACK Okogie back 2/23 after 2, 15 min since (85% of 17)
BACK Holiday back 2/23 after 5, 14 min since (102% of 14)
NEW Sheppard 27 to 33 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 3/06 · back-to-backBACK Smith Jr. back 3/05 after 2, 42 min since (119% of 36)
NEW Sheppard 27 to 36 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 3/08 · 1 day's restBACK Smith Jr. back 3/05 after 2, 42 min since (119% of 36)
NEW Sheppard 27 to 36 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restBACK Smith Jr. back 3/05 after 2, 36 min since (103% of 36)
NEW Sheppard 27 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Finney-Smith 16 to 22 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 3/11 · back-to-backBACK Smith Jr. back 3/05 after 2, 36 min since (101% of 36)
NEW Sheppard 27 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Finney-Smith 16 to 24 min over the last 4
GSW availability going into 2/24 · 1 day's restOUT Ste. Curry missed 7 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 2 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Cryer missed 10 since 1/26, out tonight
OUT Set. Curry missed 34 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Leons missed 6 since 2/05, out tonight
BACK Porziņģis back 2/19 after 2, 17 min since (73% of 24)
NEW Moody 26 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Santos 20 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Spencer 19 to 27 min over the last 5
GSW availability going into 2/25 · back-to-backOUT Ste. Curry missed 8 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Porziņģis missed 2 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 3 since 2/19, out tonight
OUT Cryer missed 11 since 1/26, out tonight
OUT Set. Curry missed 35 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Leons missed 7 since 2/05, returns tonight: 18 min (161% of 11)
NEW Moody 26 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Horford 22 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Santos 20 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Spencer 19 to 26 min over the last 5
GSW availability going into 2/28 · 2 days' restOUT Ste. Curry missed 9 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Porziņģis missed 3 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 4 since 2/19, returns tonight: 15 min (87% of 17)
OUT Cryer missed 12 since 1/26, out tonight
OUT Set. Curry missed 36 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Leons back 2/25 after 7, 18 min since (161% of 11)
NEW Moody 26 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Horford 22 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Santos 20 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Richard 20 to 25 min over the last 4
NEW Spencer 19 to 26 min over the last 5
GSW availability going into 3/02 · 1 day's restOUT Ste. Curry missed 10 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Porziņģis missed 4 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Cryer missed 13 since 1/26, out tonight
OUT Set. Curry missed 37 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williams back 2/28 after 4, 15 min since (87% of 17)
BACK Leons back 2/25 after 7, 13 min since (116% of 11)
NEW Santos 20 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Spencer 19 to 26 min over the last 5
GSW availability going into 3/05 · 2 days' restOUT Ste. Curry missed 11 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Porziņģis missed 5 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Cryer missed 14 since 1/26, returns tonight: 20 min (125% of 16)
OUT Set. Curry missed 38 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williams back 2/28 after 4, 18 min since (106% of 17)
BACK Leons back 2/25 after 7, 11 min since (96% of 11)
NEW Santos 20 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Spencer 19 to 24 min over the last 5
GSW availability going into 3/07 · 1 day's restOUT Ste. Curry missed 12 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Porziņģis missed 6 since 2/22, returns tonight: 23 min (97% of 24)
OUT Richard missed 2 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Payton II missed 2 since 3/02, returns tonight: 22 min (142% of 16)
OUT Set. Curry missed 39 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williams back 2/28 after 4, 18 min since (106% of 17)
BACK Cryer back 3/05 after 14, 20 min since (125% of 16)
BACK Leons back 2/25 after 7, 11 min since (100% of 11)
NEW Podziemski 28 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Horford 22 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Santos 20 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Spencer 19 to 24 min over the last 5
GSW availability going into 3/09 · 1 day's restOUT Ste. Curry missed 13 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Moody missed 2 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Richard missed 3 since 3/02, out tonight
OUT Set. Curry missed 40 since 12/06, returns tonight: 12 min (92% of 13)
BACK Porziņģis back 3/07 after 6, 23 min since (97% of 24)
BACK Williams back 2/28 after 4, 16 min since (92% of 17)
BACK Cryer back 3/05 after 14, 19 min since (115% of 16)
BACK Payton II back 3/07 after 2, 22 min since (142% of 16)
BACK Leons back 2/25 after 7, 10 min since (91% of 11)
NEW Podziemski 28 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Horford 22 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Santos 20 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Spencer 19 to 24 min over the last 5
GSW availability going into 3/10 · back-to-backOUT Ste. Curry missed 14 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Moody missed 3 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Richard missed 4 since 3/02, returns tonight: 32 min (158% of 20)
BACK Porziņģis back 3/07 after 6, 23 min since (97% of 24)
BACK Williams back 2/28 after 4, 15 min since (89% of 17)
BACK Cryer back 3/05 after 14, 18 min since (111% of 16)
BACK Payton II back 3/07 after 2, 24 min since (153% of 16)
BACK Set. Curry back 3/09 after 40, 12 min since (92% of 13)
NEW Podziemski 28 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Horford 22 to 28 min over the last 4
NEW Santos 20 to 34 min over the last 5
GSW availability going into 3/13 · 2 days' restOUT Ste. Curry missed 15 since 2/03, out tonight
OUT Moody missed 4 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Porziņģis back 3/07 after 6, 22 min since (91% of 24)
BACK Richard back 3/10 after 4, 32 min since (158% of 20)
BACK Cryer back 3/05 after 14, 19 min since (115% of 16)
BACK Payton II back 3/07 after 2, 23 min since (148% of 16)
BACK Set. Curry back 3/09 after 40, 12 min since (92% of 13)
NEW Podziemski 28 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Horford 22 to 31 min over the last 4
NEW Santos 20 to 36 min over the last 5
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 119 a night and allowing 109, shooting 51 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Durant at 28 and Sengun at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Smith Jr. (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 16 free throws a game; Podziemski at 17 and Moody at 17 a game. Without Ste. Curry (11 straight), Porziņģis (5 straight), Cryer (14 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-10 a night and Golden State plus-0 and the defense, Houston allowing 109 a night to Golden State's 117. Call it Houston 117, Golden State 111.
2/25 vs SAC 128-97 — HOU notes
HOU won 128-97. HOU shot 55% (47 of 86) to SAC's 40%, 17 of 39 from three. Sheppard led with 28 (9 of 21, 7 of 16 from three); Sengun added 26, Durant 21. The hinge was Q2, 44-28: a lead of 11 became 27, and the lead reached 36. Okogie was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
2/26 @ ORL 113-108 — HOU notes
HOU won 113-108. HOU shot 52% (43 of 82) to ORL's 45%, 11 of 29 from three. Durant led with 40 (14 of 28, 2 of 10 from three, 10 of 10 at the line); Sheppard added 20, Sengun 16. The hinge was Q3, 38-27: HOU came in trailing by 10 and left it ahead by 1. HOU trailed 43-53 at the half and won the second half 70-55. Eason was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
2/28 @ MIA 105-115 — HOU notes
HOU lost 105-115. HOU shot 43% (41 of 95) to MIA's 50%, 9 of 36 from three. Durant led with 32 (12 of 20, 2 of 8 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Thompson added 20, Sheppard 14. Q2 was theirs, 24-19, turning a 4-point deficit into a 1-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 96-81 against them. They led by as many as 10. Thompson's -18 in 39 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/02 @ WAS 123-118 — HOU notes
HOU won 123-118. HOU shot 49% (45 of 92) to WAS's 48%, 9 of 25 from three, and went to the line 28 times to WAS's 14 — 24 points from the stripe to their 11. HOU turned it over 20 times to WAS's 12, and WAS turned those into 15 steals. The glass went 59-27 for them. Sengun led with 32 (12 of 20, 8 of 11 at the line); Durant added 30, Thompson 22. The hinge was Q2, 34-21: HOU came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 9, and the lead reached 19. Eason was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
3/05 vs GSW 113-115 — HOU notes
HOU lost 113-115 in 1 overtime. HOU shot 46% (44 of 96) to GSW's 48%, 14 of 34 from three. Sheppard led with 30 (12 of 19, 6 of 12 from three); Durant added 23, Thompson 18. Q2 was theirs, 27-21, the deficit cut from 10 to 4, but the other 4 periods went 94-86 against them.
3/06 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Durant at 29 and Sheppard at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 119, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 25 free throws a game; Holiday at 23 and Grant at 21 a game. Without Avdija (5 straight), Sharpe (11 straight), Love (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-7 a night and Portland minus-2 and the arc, Houston at 37 percent from three to Portland's 30. Call it Houston 118, Portland 111.
3/08 @ SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 107, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 22 and Fox at 16 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Barnes (3 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Durant at 29 and Sengun at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-7 a night and San Antonio plus-1 and the turnovers, Houston giving it away 16 times a game to San Antonio's 13. Call it San Antonio 115, Houston 110.
3/10 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 118, shooting 48 percent and 32 from three, 24 free throws a game; Durant at 26 and Thompson at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest. Toronto comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 111, shooting 50 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Barrett at 22 and Ingram at 20 a game. Without Murray-Boyles (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-8 a night and Toronto minus-2 and the turnovers, Houston giving it away 16 times a game to Toronto's 11. Call it Houston 114, Toronto 112, Toronto keeping it close.
3/11 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 125, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 30 free throws a game; Jokić at 31 and Murray at 26 a game. Without Watson (13 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 115, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 26 free throws a game; Durant at 25 and Thompson at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 12 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-12 a night and Denver plus-3 and the defense, Houston allowing 115 a night to Denver's 125. Call it Denver 117, Houston 116, Houston keeping it close.
2/24 @ NOP 109-113 — GSW notes
GSW lost 109-113. GSW shot 41% (40 of 97) to NOP's 43%, 11 of 45 from three. Melton led with 28 (8 of 20, 3 of 9 from three, 9 of 11 at the line); Moody added 24, Podziemski 16. Q2 was theirs, 20-15, the deficit cut from 12 to 7, but the other 3 periods went 98-89 against them. Richard's -19 in 17 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/25 @ MEM 133-112 — GSW notes
GSW won 133-112. GSW shot 53% (49 of 92) to MEM's 49%, 19 of 46 from three. The glass went 48-34 for them. Richard led with 21 (9 of 15, 2 of 6 from three); Podziemski added 19, Payton II 19. The hinge was Q2, 40-22: a lead of 3 became 21, and the lead reached 32. P. Spencer was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
2/28 vs LAL 101-129 — GSW notes
GSW lost 101-129. GSW shot 45% (41 of 91) to LAL's 53%, 12 of 44 from three, and got to the line just 9 times against 19 fouls committed. Santos led with 14 (6 of 12, 2 of 7 from three); Moody added 12, Payton II 12. Q4 was theirs, 29-30, but the other 3 periods went 99-72 against them. Green's -30 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/02 vs LAC 101-114 — GSW notes
GSW lost 101-114. GSW took 8 more shots (93 to 85), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 39% to LAC's 49%, 17 of 48 from three, and got to the line 17 times to LAC's 23. The glass went 40-52 against them. Podziemski led with 22 (9 of 18, 3 of 6 from three); Williams added 18, Horford 17. Q1 was theirs, 31-19, but the other 3 periods went 95-70 against them. They led by as many as 17. Green's -18 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/05 @ HOU 115-113 — GSW notes
GSW won 115-113 in 1 overtime. GSW shot 48% (45 of 94) to HOU's 46%, 14 of 38 from three. Podziemski led with 26 (10 of 18, 4 of 8 from three); Melton added 23, Horford 17. The hinge was Q1, 30-20: from level to 10 ahead. Santos was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
3/07 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Holmgren at 18 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Jal. Williams (9 straight), Mitchell (19 straight), Sandfort (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 17 free throws a game; Podziemski at 18 and Melton at 17 a game. Without Ste. Curry (12 straight), Porziņģis (6 straight), Richard (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 108 a night to Golden State's 116 and the glass, where Golden State has been minus-0 a night and OKC minus-5. Call it OKC 117, Golden State 109.
3/09 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 115, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 25 free throws a game; George at 26 and Collier at 19 a game. Without Kessler (59 straight), Mykhailiuk (3 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 114, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 16 free throws a game; Podziemski at 19 and Santos at 14 a game. Without Ste. Curry (13 straight), Moody (2 straight), Richard (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Utah wins, and the game turns on the line, where Utah takes 25 free throws a game to Golden State's 16. Call it Utah 116, Golden State 115, Golden State keeping it close.
3/10 vs CHI — 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 106 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 32 from three, 16 free throws a game; Podziemski at 18 and Melton at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Ste. Curry (14 straight), Moody (3 straight), Richard (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 113, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 26 free throws a game; Sexton at 22 and Buzelis at 18 a game. Without Simons (7 straight), Collins (33 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the line, where Chicago takes 26 free throws a game to Golden State's 16 and the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 17 times a game to Golden State's 12. Call it Golden State 114, Chicago 113, Chicago keeping it close.
3/13 vs MIN — 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 111 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 18 free throws a game; Podziemski at 18 and Melton at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Ste. Curry (15 straight), Moody (4 straight). 2 days' rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 122, shooting 48 percent and 31 from three, 29 free throws a game; Edwards at 29 and Randle at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Conley (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the line, where Minnesota takes 29 free throws a game to Golden State's 18 and the glass, where Minnesota has been minus-1 a night and Golden State minus-6. Call it Golden State 117, Minnesota 113, Minnesota keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
GSWAH A. Horford
BP B. Podziemski
DG D. Green
DM D. Melton
GS G. Santos
LC L. Cryer
ML M. Leons
NW N. Williams
PS P. Spencer
QP Q. Post
HOUAS A. Sengun
AT A. Thompson
CC C. Capela
JO J. Okogie
JS J. Smith Jr.
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
Short-handed Warriors edge Rockets 115-113 in overtime thriller
HOUSTON -- — Brandon Podziemski had 26 points, De'Anthony Melton added 23 and the short-handed Golden State Warriors outlasted the Houston Rockets 115-113 in overtime Thursday night.
The Warriors were up three with about 30 seconds left in overtime when Kevin Durant was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made the first two before a miss. Golden State got the rebound and Melton made a tip-in layup with 5.3 seconds left to push the lead to 115-112.
Durant made 1 of 2 free throws after and a foul by the Rockets allowed Golden State to hold on for the win.
Al Horford added 17 points for the Warriors as Stephen Curry sat out for a 12th consecutive game with a knee injury. The Warriors have said that he’s expected to be re-evaluated around Tuesday.
Reed Sheppard led Houston with 30 points, including six 3-pointers, and Durant added 23.
It was tied with less than three minutes left in overtime before Podziemski made a 3-pointer followed by a driving layup to give Golden State a 111-106 lead about a minute later.
Amen Thompson made the first of two free throws before rebounding the miss on the second. Durant hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 1. Horford made a basket for Golden State to make it 113-110.
Alperen Sengun gave the Rockets the lead with about a minute left in regulation on a short basket before a 3-pointer by Horford put Golden State on top 101-99.
Another bucket by Sengun tied it with about 30 seconds remaining before Durant was called for a foul on Melton with 6.5 seconds left. But the Rockets challenged the call and it was overturned.
The Warriors won the jump ball and called a timeout, but Gui Santos turned the ball over with 0.3 seconds remaining before Thompson missed a shot under the basket to send it to overtime.
Up next Golden State: At Oklahoma City on Saturday night.