HOUSTON (Interstat) — Brandin Podziemski scored 26 points and De’Anthony Melton added 23, including a crucial tip-in with 5.3 seconds left in overtime, to lift the short-handed Golden State Warriors to a 115-113 victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday night at Toyota Center. The Warriors, who led by as many as 14 in the first half, survived a 37-point performance from Houston’s Reed Sheppard and a late surge that forced the extra period. Kevin Durant scored 23 for the Rockets, but missed a key free throw in the final seconds of overtime after being fouled on a 3-point attempt. Golden State secured the offensive rebound on the miss, leading to Melton’s decisive basket. The Warriors improved to 32-30, while the Rockets fell to 38-23.

HOUSTON (Interstat) — In a game defined by wild momentum swings and a final possession that required multiple video reviews, the Golden State Warriors escaped with a 115-113 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday night at Toyota Center. The contest, played before a sellout crowd of 18,055, saw the Warriors snap a two-game skid and improve to 32-30, while the Rockets fell to 38-23 in a crucial Western Conference matchup that defied pregame projections. Houston entered as a heavy favorite, with an 82.8% probability to win according to National Statistical’s ELO system and was installed as an 8.5-point favorite. The most critical sequence of the night unfolded in the chaotic final seconds of overtime. With Golden State leading 113-112, Houston’s Kevin Durant was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 4.2 seconds remaining. He missed the first free throw but sank the next two, putting the Rockets ahead by one. Out of a timeout, the Warriors inbounded to Draymond Green near midcourt. His pass intended for Brandin Podziemski was deflected and stolen by Durant with 0.1 seconds left. Officials initially ruled the clock had expired, but a review determined time remained. Houston called timeout to advance the ball. On the ensuing inbounds play, Golden State’s Gui Santos was called for a foul on Tari Eason before the ball was passed, sending Eason to the line with 0.1 seconds still on the clock. Eason missed the first free throw. Before he could attempt the second, the Warriors called timeout. After the break, Eason missed the second shot intentionally, but Reed Sheppard was called for a lane violation, resulting in a turnover. Golden State then successfully inbounded the ball to run out the final tenth of a second, securing the dramatic win. The game was a tale of explosive quarters and resilient responses. Golden State raced to a 30-point first quarter, but Houston answered with a 35-point third quarter to seize control, taking an 82-77 lead into the fourth. The Warriors clawed back, forcing overtime when Al Horford buried a clutch 3-pointer with 45.2 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 101. In the extra period, Podziemski took over for Golden State. The guard from Greenfield, Wisconsin, scored seven of his team-high 26 points in overtime, including a driving layup and a critical 3-pointer that gave the Warriors a lead they would not relinquish. He added nine rebounds and was the focal point of the Warriors’ offense down the stretch. Houston was led by a spectacular performance from rookie guard Reed Sheppard, who poured in 30 points and dished out six assists. Amen Thompson, an Oakland native, posted an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double for the Rockets. Durant finished with 23 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Alperen Sengun had 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. The statistical battle was remarkably even. Golden State shot 47.9% from the field (45 of 94), while Houston shot 45.8% (44 of 96). Both teams made 14 3-pointers and 11 free throws. The Warriors held a slight edge in offensive rebounds, 18-17, and blocks, 5-2, while the Rockets had more steals, 11-10. Turnovers were plentiful, with Golden State committing 19 and Houston 17. Beyond Podziemski, the Warriors received significant contributions from De’Anthony Melton with 23 points and six rebounds, and Al Horford, who had 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. Draymond Green orchestrated the offense with eight assists to go with 10 points. For Houston, the loss spoiled Thompson’s homecoming and a dominant third-quarter surge that saw them erase a halftime deficit. The Rockets’ offense stalled at critical junctures in the fourth quarter and overtime, shooting just 11 of 31 from the field in the final 17 minutes of play. The victory provides a vital boost for Golden State as they continue a challenging road trip, next facing the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. Houston, meanwhile, must regroup quickly as they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. The total score of 228 sailed over the pregame over/under line of 214.5.

Preview: Warriors at Rockets, March 5, 2026 HOUSTON (Interstat) — The surging Houston Rockets host the struggling Golden State Warriors on Thursday night at Toyota Center in a Western Conference matchup with significant postseason implications. The Rockets (38-22) enter on a strong run, having won seven of their last 10 games. They are coming off a 123-118 road victory over Washington on Monday, powered by a 32-point, 12-rebound performance from center Alperen Sengun. Sengun has been a force, averaging a near triple-double of 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists over his last 10 contests, including a 26-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist triple-double against Sacramento on Feb. 25. Conversely, the Warriors (31-30) have lost five of their last seven and are looking to stabilize their season. They fell 114-101 to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. Guard Brandin Podziemski led Golden State with 22 points in that loss and has been a bright spot, averaging 15.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists over his last 10 games. His recent stretch includes a 16-point, 15-rebound effort against New Orleans and an 18-point, 15-rebound, 9-assist near-triple-double in a win over Denver. Houston holds the head-to-head advantage this season, defeating Golden State 104-100 on Nov. 26. The Rockets’ balanced attack, featuring Kevin Durant (30 points vs. Washington) and Amen Thompson (22 points, 12 rebounds), alongside Sengun, presents a formidable challenge for a Warriors defense that has allowed an average of 113.6 points over its last five games. The Warriors, hovering near .500, are in a tight battle for playoff positioning and need a signature road win. Containing Sengun in the paint and finding consistent secondary scoring behind Podziemski will be critical. For the Rockets, protecting home court and maintaining their top-four standing in the conference is the priority. Thursday’s contest tips off at 7 p.m. CST. Houston hosts Portland on Friday, while Golden State continues a road trip in Oklahoma City on Saturday.