SAN FRANCISCO – Going through a Houston lineup stocked with skyscraping facilities and wings with sufficient athleticism to the touch the clouds, Golden State’s flowing offense and free-wheeling units had been ground-bound in Sunday night time’s 106-96 loss in Chase Heart that featured Draymond Inexperienced incomes each a technical and flagrant foul.
After scoring 125 factors over his final three video games, Steph Curry made simply one in every of his 10 area objective makes an attempt and scored solely three factors. Brandin Podziemski put in 19 factors, and Buddy Hield and Gary Payton mixed to attain 36 off the bench.
Houston entered the sport main the league in rebounding (48.8 rebounds per night time), and that dimension drawback was apparent.
Golden State was outscored 56-40 within the paint by a Rockets entrance line that featured 6-foot-9 tank Alperen Sengun (19 factors) and the freakishly athletic duo of Jalen Inexperienced and San Leandro native Amen Thompson within the backcourt. The Warriors additionally had 20 turnovers.
The Warriors (46-32) dropped right into a four-way tie with No. 6 Minnesota (46-32), No. 7 LA Clippers and No. 8 Memphis (46-32).
Golden State, which trailed simply 51-50 at halftime, stored issues shut with the youthful and extra athletic Rockets for some time, with Hield’s taking pictures and holding the Warriors inside putting distance.
Podziemski took a defensive rebound coast-to-coast to chop the deficit to 83-81 with 9 minutes left, however Jabari Smith instantly answered with an uncontested jam after getting a move within the dunker’s spot. Houston pulled away from there.
After Inexperienced was hit along with his second quarter technical foul, Jalen Inexperienced missed the free throw, which appeared to please Draymond Inexperienced. The Warriors ahead was much less enthused when he was referred to as for a foul 40 toes from the basket with 0.6 left within the half on a VanVleet halfcourt shot.
Rockets coach Ime Udoka walked by way of the Warriors as they left the court docket, prompting Curry to share a number of phrases with him.
That animosity didn’t dissipate in the course of the 15-minute intermission.
With 9:57 left within the third quarter, Inexperienced was referred to as for a flagrant foul after he hit Sengun within the face with an elbow. Coach Steve Kerr subbed Inexperienced out of the sport following the incident.
Golden State performs at Phoenix on Tuesday.
Initially Printed: April 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM PDT
