In the hours leading up to the Golden State Warriors' overtime win in Houston on Thursday night, their absent superstar, Stephen Curry, sent their remaining big name, Draymond Green, a text message of encouragement. That message seemed to resonate throughout a roster missing several key pieces, as the short-handed Warriors pulled off a stunning 115-113 victory over the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.
Podziemski and Melton Lead the Charge
With Stephen Curry sidelined for his 12th consecutive game due to a knee injury, and both Kristaps Porzingis and Jimmy Butler III unavailable, the Warriors needed someone to step up. Brandin Podziemski answered the call, pacing the team with 26 points and 9 rebounds. His aggressive play in the extra period was decisive, as he scored five quick points early in overtime to give Golden State a 111-106 cushion.
De'Anthony Melton was equally vital, finishing with 23 points and 6 rebounds. Melton’s contributions went beyond the box score, providing veteran stability for a lineup that relied heavily on depth players like Gui Santos, who chipped in an impressive 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Overtime Drama and the Game-Winning Bucket
The game reached a fever pitch in the final moments of overtime. After Kevin Durant missed the third of three free throws with 29.9 seconds remaining—a rare lapse for the superstar—the Rockets failed to knot the score. On the ensuing possession, the Warriors capitalized on a chaotic sequence under the rim.
Gui Santos attempted a tip shot that rattled off the rim, but De'Anthony Melton was there to corral the rebound and convert a second-chance basket with just 5.3 seconds remaining. That bucket pushed the Warriors' lead to 115-112. Following a quick foul and a final free throw from the Rockets, Golden State secured the hard-fought Warriors win against Rockets.
Rockets Fall Despite Sheppard's Career Night
The Houston Rockets were led by a spectacular performance from rookie sensation Reed Sheppard, who dropped 30 points and connected on six 3-pointers. Kevin Durant added 23 points, while Amen Thompson recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Despite the offensive fireworks, Houston struggled to contain Golden State's perimeter shooting early in the game and could not overcome the late-game execution of the short-handed visitors.
- Alperen Sengun: 17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists
- Al Horford: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
- Reed Sheppard: 30 points, 6 assists
What’s Next for the Warriors?
This victory serves as a massive morale booster for a Golden State team navigating a difficult stretch of injuries. The encouragement from Stephen Curry clearly set the tone for a resilient performance. The Warriors will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup as they travel to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night, while the Rockets will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.
Sources & Original Reporting
