The Houston Rockets held off the Golden State Warriors 115-108 at Toyota Center on Thursday night, combining a dominant interior performance with timely fourth-quarter execution. Houston trailed after the first quarter but seized control before halftime, built a nine-point cushion in the third, and survived a late Warriors surge to close out a hard-fought Western Conference matchup. The win underlined Houston’s growth as a team capable of winning in different ways, while Golden State was left frustrated by turnovers and missed opportunities down the stretch.

Rockets answer early Warriors push

Golden State started quickly, with Stephen Curry knocking down two early three-pointers and Jonathan Kuminga attacking the rim. The Warriors led 30-27 after the first quarter and seemed comfortable against Houston’s switching defense. But the Rockets responded in the second quarter, tightening their defense on Curry and using Alperen Sengun as a hub at the elbow. Houston outscored Golden State 31-25 in the period to take a 58-55 lead into halftime.

The third quarter was where Houston created separation. The Rockets opened with a 14-2 run, fueled by offensive rebounds and second-chance points. Sengun scored inside, Jalen Green hit a transition three, and Amen Thompson changed the game with his activity on the offensive glass. Houston led 88-81 heading into the final period.

Key moments

• Second-quarter response: Houston closed the half on a 12-4 run to erase a five-point deficit and take a three-point lead into the break.
• Third-quarter surge: A 14-2 run to open the second half gave the Rockets a 72-57 advantage and forced Golden State into timeout.
• Warriors’ late push: Curry hit back-to-back threes to cut the lead to 104-101 with four minutes left.
• Clutch finish: Sengun scored on a hook shot, Green added a pull-up jumper, and Houston went 6-of-8 from the free-throw line in the final minute.

Tactical story: glass control and paint dominance

Houston’s victory was built on the offensive glass. The Rockets grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and scored 22 second-chance points, repeatedly extending possessions and wearing down Golden State’s smaller lineups. Sengun’s positioning was central to that effort, but Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. also made critical contributions on the boards. Houston finished with a 52-38 advantage in points in the paint and shot 48% from the field.

Golden State stayed close thanks to Curry’s shooting and Kuminga’s aggressiveness, but the Warriors committed 18 turnovers and attempted only 14 free throws. Houston’s defense forced Curry into tough shots late and limited Golden State’s transition opportunities. The Warriors shot 12-of-36 from three-point range, and their inability to generate consistent second-chance points proved costly.

Standout players

Alperen Sengun led Houston with 30 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists, dominating the paint and making key plays in the fourth quarter. Jalen Green added 24 points, including four three-pointers, while Amen Thompson finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Fred VanVleet contributed 14 points and nine assists, controlling the pace down the stretch.

For Golden State, Stephen Curry scored 33 points with seven three-pointers, but he received limited help in the closing minutes. Jonathan Kuminga added 22 points and seven rebounds, and Draymond Green chipped in eight points, ten rebounds, and eight assists. The Warriors’ bench managed only 21 points, a significant drop-off against Houston’s deeper rotation.

Season impact

The win strengthens Houston’s position in the Western Conference standings and gives the Rockets another confidence-building result against a proven contender. Golden State’s loss is a reminder that turnovers and rebounding margins can decide games even when Curry shoots well. Houston will look to carry its interior dominance into the next game, while the Warriors must find more reliable secondary scoring and cleaner execution late in close games.