The Houston Rockets pulled off a stunning 104-100 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Chase Center in San Francisco — a game that defied every betting line, expert prediction, and narrative leading up to tip-off. The Rockets, who entered as 2.5-point underdogs, closed the game with a 30-point fourth quarter, silencing a home crowd that expected a Warriors comeback. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
A Game That Broke the Script
By halftime, the Warriors looked dominant. They outscored Houston 34-22 in the second quarter, fueled by Steph Curry’s sharp shooting and Draymond Green’s defensive energy after returning from injury. The Warriors, 6-2 at home this season, were playing like a team that had finally found its rhythm — especially after snapping a three-game skid with a 134-117 win over the Utah Jazz just days earlier. Meanwhile, the Rockets, despite winning six of their last seven, were seen as the grittier but less polished team. Analysts from ClutchPoints and RotoWire all leaned toward Golden State, citing home-court advantage, defensive cohesion, and Houston’s missing pieces.
But here’s the twist: Houston didn’t need to be polished. They needed to be relentless. And they were.
The Absences That Didn’t Matter
The Rockets were without three key players: center Steven Adams (ankle), forward Kevin Durant (personal reasons), and Tari Eason (oblique). That’s not just a lineup change — it’s a reshuffling of identity. Adams was their physical anchor; Durant, their scoring ceiling; Eason, their energy spark. Yet the Rockets didn’t fold. Instead, Jabari Smith Jr. exploited mismatches against a thin Warriors frontcourt, and Reed Sheppard — the rookie guard who’s quietly become Houston’s most reliable playmaker — dropped 18 points and five assists off the bench.
And then there was Alperen Sengun. The 23-year-old center was shadowed all night by a revitalized Draymond Green, who returned from injury with a mission. Green’s defensive intensity was visible — he forced six turnovers and locked down the paint. But Sengun didn’t break. He adapted. He found space with pick-and-pop jumpers, drew fouls, and finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds. The matchup was supposed to be a trap. It became a showcase.
The Fourth Quarter That Changed Everything
The Warriors led by 12 early in the third. They were up 87-79 with 8:45 left. The narrative was set: Warriors in control, Rockets fading. But Houston’s offense — described by analysts as “elite” with 29.1 assists per game — clicked into another gear. Jae'Sean Tate, returning from injury, hit two consecutive threes. Daniel Theis, playing heavy minutes in Adams’ absence, grabbed four offensive rebounds in the final five minutes. The Rockets outscored Golden State 30-24 in the fourth, a stretch that included six straight points from Kevin Porter Jr. — a player many had written off after last season’s inconsistency.
Golden State’s offense, which had been humming at 119.4 points per game this season, stalled. Curry finished with 28 points but shot just 9-for-24. Klay Thompson, who had been red-hot the week before, went 2-for-9 from deep. The Warriors missed their last six three-pointers in the final 3:15. The ball movement that once defined them turned into isolation plays. And in the end, they ran out of time — and out of answers.
Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score
The NBA Cup — introduced in 2023-24 — is more than a midseason tournament. It’s a momentum builder. With the knockout rounds set for December 2025, every win now carries playoff seeding weight. The Rockets’ victory improved their Cup record to 2-2 and kept them in contention for a top-two finish in Group C. The Warriors, now 1-3, are on the brink of elimination. They’ll need to win their final two group games just to stay alive.
On a broader level, this game exposed a shift in Western Conference power. The Warriors, once the model of offensive precision, are now relying on individual brilliance. The Rockets, by contrast, are building something more sustainable: depth, defense, and unselfish ball movement. They’re averaging 48.5 rebounds per game — second in the league — and their 45.5% field goal rate shows they’re not just shooting their way to wins.
What’s Next?
Houston travels to face the Sacramento Kings on Friday, still searching for their first road win in the Cup. But confidence is high. Coach Ime Udoka said after the game, “We don’t play for predictions. We play for each other.”
Golden State hosts the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday — a must-win. If they lose, their Cup fate will be out of their hands. And with injuries piling up — Andrew Wiggins is questionable with a knee strain — the Warriors may be running out of answers.
Historical Echoes
This wasn’t the first time Houston upset Golden State in a high-stakes game. In the 2024-25 regular season, the two teams split five matchups, with the Warriors edging the Rockets in a brutal seven-game playoff series. But that was a team with Curry at his peak, Green at his most disruptive, and Klay healthy. This year’s Warriors are different. And this year’s Rockets? They’re not just a team on the rise — they’re a team that believes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Rockets win without Kevin Durant and Steven Adams?
Houston compensated for the absences with elite team basketball. They recorded 29 assists on 38 field goals, with Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard combining for 41 points. The Rockets’ defense forced 18 turnovers, and their rebounding (51 total) overwhelmed Golden State’s depleted frontcourt. It wasn’t about stars — it was about structure.
Why did the Warriors collapse in the fourth quarter?
Golden State’s offense became too reliant on Steph Curry, who faced constant double teams. Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole went cold from deep, missing six of their last eight three-point attempts. The Rockets’ zone defense in the final minutes disrupted their ball movement, and Draymond Green’s fatigue — playing 39 minutes — left the defense vulnerable late.
What does this mean for the NBA Cup standings?
Houston moves to 2-2 in Group C, tied for third. They’re still one game behind the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings for the top two spots that guarantee knockout round berths. Golden State drops to 1-3 — their path to advancement now requires winning both remaining games and hoping for other results to go their way. Elimination is a real possibility by December 15.
Was this result a fluke, or a sign of a new Rockets identity?
It’s not a fluke. Houston has won six of seven games since early November, and their offensive efficiency has climbed to 114.3 points per game — up from 108.1 last season. They’re playing with cohesion, not just talent. This win proves they can win on the road, against elite teams, without their best players. This is a team being built for the long haul.
How did betting markets react after the game?
Oddsmakers quickly adjusted lines for future Rockets games, moving them from underdogs to slight favorites in their next three matchups. The Over/Under for their next game against Sacramento dropped from 227.5 to 221.5, signaling a belief that Houston’s wins are coming with tighter, more defensive games — not high-scoring shootouts.
Is Draymond Green’s return enough to save the Warriors’ season?
His return helped defensively, but Golden State’s offense is still unbalanced. Curry is carrying too much. The team’s three-point shooting has dropped to 34.2% since Green returned — below their season average. Without consistent secondary scoring and better bench production, Green’s leadership won’t be enough to overcome their scoring droughts — especially on the road.