Ever watched a favorite song cut out in the first verse? That’s how Warriors fans felt on Wednesday night when Stephen Curry left the game in the first quarter and never came back.
Golden State was riding an eight-game winning streak. Houston had other plans. Let’s break down the score, the turning points, the ejection, and what comes next.
What Was the Final Score of Warriors vs Rockets?
The Rockets won 115-108 on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at Toyota Center in Houston. Kevin Durant scored 20 points, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson added 19, and Houston snapped Golden State’s eight-game winning streak. Yahoo Sports
It was the Warriors’ longest winning streak since 2022, and it ended on a night they were held well below their season average of 120.4 points per game. Yahoo Sports
How Did the Game Unfold?
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warriors | 20 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 108 |
| Rockets | 35 | 21 | 29 | 30 | 115 |
Sources: ESPN, VAVEL, AP (November 2026). Quarter scores are derived from reported running totals.
Houston blitzed Golden State 35-20 in the first quarter. The Warriors then responded in the second with just one turnover to cut a 15-point deficit to five at halftime. Think of it like a boxer who gets knocked down in round one, then climbs back with a strong second round. Bleacher Report
What Happened to Stephen Curry?
This was the big storyline. The Warriors played most of the game without Curry after he left in the first quarter with right abdominal soreness and didn’t return. He finished with just three points. Yahoo Sports
Curry entered the night ranked second in the NBA at 30.6 points per game. I couldn’t find a follow-up injury update in the sources I reviewed, so his status for Friday is unconfirmed. Check the team’s official injury report before assuming anything. Yahoo Sports
Who Stepped Up for Golden State?
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Brandin Podziemski added 22. That’s a strong performance from young players asked to carry the load. It’s like a band continuing the show after the lead singer steps off stage. Yahoo Sports
How Did Houston Pull Away?
The Warriors got three-pointers from Georges Niang and De’Anthony Melton to cut the lead to 88-85 midway through the fourth. But Houston scored the next eight points, with an alley-oop dunk by Thompson before consecutive threes from Reed Sheppard. Yahoo Sports
Later, the Warriors used a 6-0 run, including a four-point play by Podziemski, to get within five, but back-to-back threes from Sheppard and Fred VanVleet left Houston up 102-91. That sequence decided it. Yahoo Sports
Warriors vs Rockets Key Facts Table
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, November 11, 2026 |
| Venue | Toyota Center, Houston |
| Final score | Rockets 115, Warriors 108 |
| Records before | Both 8-3 (ESPN) |
| Records after | Rockets 9-3; Warriors 8-4 |
| Rockets leaders | Durant 20; Sengun 19; A. Thompson 19 |
| Warriors leaders | Lendeborg 25 pts, 10 reb; Podziemski 22 |
| Curry | 3 points; left in Q1 (abdominal soreness) |
| Streak | Warriors’ 8-game winning streak ends |
| Next games | Warriors at Spurs (Fri.); Rockets vs Jazz (Fri.) |
Sources: AP via Yahoo Sports, ESPN, Bleacher Report (November 2026). The 9-3 and 8-4 records follow from the pre-game 8-3 marks listed on ESPN.
What About the Marcus Smart Ejection?
A moment of chaos. Houston’s Marcus Smart was ejected late in the third quarter for punching Golden State’s Charles Bassey. The play was reviewed, and Smart was issued a Flagrant 2 foul. It was unclear what started the altercation, and Smart’s punch appeared to lightly strike Bassey’s nose. Yahoo Sports
The NBA can add discipline after the fact, so watch for league announcements. For now, any extra penalty is unconfirmed.
Why Do Flagrant Fouls Matter?
A Flagrant 2 means an automatic ejection. It also can mean fines or suspensions later, depending on the league’s review. That’s why a single moment can ripple into the next game.
A Quick Look Back: This Rivalry Isn’t New
These teams have produced wild finishes before. In November 2024, the Rockets fought back from a 31-point deficit but fell short in overtime, losing 127-121 to the Warriors. And in November 2023, the Warriors beat the Rockets 121-116 behind Stephen Curry’s 32 points. nbanba
Different rosters now, same kind of drama.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
- Warriors: Visit San Antonio on Friday night as they continue a five-game road trip. Yahoo Sports
- Rockets: Host Utah on Friday night. Yahoo Sports
The big question is Curry. If he misses time, the Warriors’ depth and young players get tested. That’s a useful gut check for a team that just won eight in a row.
How to Follow NBA Games Like This
A few easy habits:
- Check the injury report two to three hours before tip-off.
- Watch the first quarter for rotation clues.
- Use official apps for box scores and updates.
- Don’t judge a team by one game. Streaks end.
For more help finding games, our guides on where to watch Lions vs Bengals and Cowboys vs Panthers explain the basics.
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- Browse our full blog
FAQs About Warriors vs Rockets
What was the final score of Warriors vs Rockets?
Houston beat Golden State 115-108 on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at Toyota Center, snapping the Warriors’ eight-game winning streak, their longest since 2022. The Rockets improved to 9-3 while Golden State fell to 8-4.
What happened to Stephen Curry in the game?
Stephen Curry left in the first quarter with right abdominal soreness and did not return, finishing with three points. He entered averaging 30.6 points, second in the NBA, and his next-game status was unconfirmed.
Who were the top scorers for the Rockets?
Kevin Durant scored 20 points for Houston, while Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson each added 19. Reed Sheppard and Fred VanVleet hit back-to-back threes that pushed the lead to 102-91 in the fourth quarter.
How did the Warriors play without Curry?
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg led Golden State with 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Brandin Podziemski added 22. The Warriors cut a 15-point deficit to five by halftime and got within three in the fourth.
Why was Marcus Smart ejected?
Houston’s Marcus Smart was ejected late in the third quarter after a Flagrant 2 foul for punching Golden State’s Charles Bassey. Neither team’s postgame statement was reviewed, so any further league discipline remains unconfirmed.
Final Thoughts
Warriors vs Rockets had everything a midseason game could ask for: a hot streak, a star injury, a big early run, and a late-night scuffle. Houston’s balanced scoring and defense ended Golden State’s run, while the Warriors showed fight even without Curry. The real story now is his health. If he’s back soon, the streak looks like a strong early statement. If not, young players will need to keep stepping up. Check the injury report, watch the next games closely, and enjoy a Western Conference race that’s getting more interesting by the week.
