Rockets End Golden State’s Eight-Game Surge as Curry Exits Early with Injury

Key Takeaways:

• Houston Rockets secured a 115-108 home victory over the Golden State Warriors
• Stephen Curry exited in the first quarter with right abdominal soreness and only scored three points
• Golden State’s eight-game winning streak came to an end as rookie Yaxel Lendeborg posted 25 points and 10 rebounds

Match Analysis

The Houston Rockets brought Golden State’s impressive eight-game winning streak to a halt with a 115-108 triumph. The game’s momentum shifted early, as Warriors star Stephen Curry was forced to leave the court in the first quarter due to right abdominal soreness, returning only three points before his exit.

The Rockets managed to keep the Warriors at bay throughout, capitalising on Curry’s absence. Houston’s offense was led by Kevin Durant, who contributed 20 points, while Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson each supplied 19 points.

back-to-back dubs 👏 https://t.co/gyT8jbjFge

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 12, 2026

Golden State’s Offence Stifled Without Curry

Curry, who entered the evening as the second-leading scorer in the NBA with an average of 30.6 points per game, was sorely missed as the Warriors managed only 108 points, significantly below their season’s average of 120.4 points per contest. In the absence of their talisman, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg stepped up for Golden State with a double-double: 25 points and 10 rebounds. Brandin Podziemski was also influential, adding 22 points.

Fourth Quarter Rally and Key Moments

Houston established a nine-point lead early in the final quarter, but the Warriors pushed back with vital three-pointers from Georges Niang and De’Anthony Melton, narrowing the deficit to 88-85 with just over ten minutes left. The Rockets answered emphatically, going on an 8-0 run featuring a Thompson alley-oop dunk and two consecutive 3-pointers from Reed Sheppard, giving Houston a 96-85 cushion with under nine minutes remaining.

Golden State responded with a 6-0 spurt, including a four-point play by Podziemski, bringing the score to within five. However, Houston’s Reed Sheppard and Fred VanVleet landed back-to-back three-point shots, pushing the lead to 102-91 midway through the final frame.

Marcus Smart Ejected Following Altercation

Late in the third quarter, tensions flared when Houston’s Marcus Smart was ejected after punching Golden State’s Charles Bassey. The altercation’s origins were unclear, though Smart’s punch appeared to make light contact with Bassey’s nose. He was quickly separated from Bassey by two Warriors players and a referee, before heading directly to the locker room prior to the officials’ formal decision. After review, Smart was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and removed from the game.

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