Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors: Final Score, Stats, and Game Recap (April 5, 2026)

Quick Answer

The Houston Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors 117-116 on April 5, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco. Kevin Durant led all scorers with 31 points, while Alperen Şengün scored the game-winning layup with 11 seconds left. Stephen Curry returned from injury to score 29 points in a losing effort.

Introduction

There are games you remember for the stars. There are games you remember for the drama. And then there are games like this—where both collide in the final seconds, leaving a sold-out Chase Center frozen in disbelief.

The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors traded haymakers for 48 minutes on April 5, 2026. When the dust settled, the Rockets walked away with a 117-116 victory.

But the box score doesn’t capture the full picture. Stephen Curry made his long-awaited return. Kevin Durant played the villain against his former team. And Alperen Şengün announced himself on the biggest stage with ice in his veins.

I’ve covered countless NBA games. But this one? This one had everything.

Here’s the full breakdown of the Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors score and stats—from the box score to the key moments that decided it all.

What Was the Final Score of the Rockets vs Warriors Game on April 5, 2026?

The Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors final score was 117-116. The Rockets won by a single point in a thriller that went down to the wire.

Let’s look at how the scoring broke down by quarter :

The Rockets mounted a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Warriors 37-29 to build a lead. But the Warriors came roaring back in the fourth, setting up a frantic finish.

How Did the Game Unfold in the Final Minutes?

The final two minutes of this game belonged on a poster. Let me set the scene for you.

With 2:10 left, Kevin Durant drilled a three-pointer to put the Rockets up 112-107. But Curry answered with a driving layup with 1:27 left to make it 112-111.

Then Şengün converted a three-point play with 1:09 remaining, pushing the lead to 115-111. Naturally, Curry answered again—a three-pointer with 57 seconds left cut the deficit to 115-114.

Here’s where it gets wild. Durant missed a jumper with 38 seconds left. On the other end, Draymond Green found Gary Payton II for a cutting layup with 20 seconds remaining. Payton scored, and Amen Thompson was called for a goaltend. Suddenly, the Warriors led 116-115.

The Rockets called a timeout with 16 seconds left.

Then Alperen Şengün happened. The Turkish big man caught a pass from Durant and drove for a cutting layup with 11 seconds remaining. The ball dropped through the net. Rockets led 117-116.

Stephen Curry had one final shot. A straightaway three-pointer from deep. It rimmed out as time expired.

Houston

VS

Golden State

117–116 Rockets

📅 April 5, 2026 📍 Chase Center, San Francisco 🏆 Winner: Houston Rockets ⚡ Key: Şengün go‑ahead layup (11s)

📊 Game stats & box score final

Team	PTS	FG	3PT	FT	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	+/-
Houston Rockets WIN	117	44-80 (55.0%)	13-29 (44.8%)	16-19 (84.2%)	38	30	7	4	13	+1
Golden State Warriors	116	42-84 (50.0%)	14-40 (35.0%)	18-23 (78.3%)	44	34	8	3	10	-1

🏀 Points in paint HOU 54 – 52 GS

⚡ Fast break HOU 8 – 8 GS

🔄 Second chance HOU 10 – 23 GS

🪑 Bench points HOU 19 – 61 GS

🔥 Top performers leaders

Player (Team)	PTS	REB	AST	FG	3PT	FT	+/-
⭐ Kevin Durant (HOU)	31	8	8	11-18	4-7	5-6	-4
🌟 Alperen Şengün (HOU)	24	6	7	9-15	1-3	5-5	-1
🔥 Stephen Curry (GSW)	29	2	4	11-21	5-10	2-3	+12
💪 Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU)	23	9	0	8-14	4-7	3-3	+15
🏃 Brandin Podziemski (GSW)	18	5	2	6-12	2-5	4-4	+15

Q1: HOU 26 – 31 GS

Q2: HOU 29 – 22 GS

Q3: HOU 37 – 29 GS

Q4: HOU 25 – 34 GS

🏅 Lead changes: 5 · Ties: 4

🏀 Game winner: Alperen Şengün go‑ahead layup (11 sec left) · Assist: Kevin Durant 📋 Stats via official NBA game log · April 5, 2026

Rockets vs Warriors Player Stats: Who Were the Top Performers?

Now let’s dive into the Rockets vs Warriors player stats. Both teams had standout performances worth breaking down.

Houston Rockets Top Performers

The Rockets leaned heavily on their big three. Kevin Durant led all scorers while Şengün and Jabari Smith Jr. provided crucial support.

Golden State Warriors Top Performers

Stephen Curry returned from injury in style. He started on the bench—his first regular-season game off the bench since 2012. But he finished like the superstar he is.

How Did Stephen Curry Perform in His Return from Injury?

Let’s talk about Stephen Curry. Because his return was one of the biggest storylines coming into this game.

Curry had missed 27 straight games with a right knee injury, last playing on January 30. The Warriors had managed without him, but having the face of the franchise back? That changed everything.

He came off the bench—a rarity. The last time Curry started a regular-season game on the bench was March 7, 2012, against Memphis. The Chase Center crowd gave him a standing ovation when he entered with 4:54 left in the first quarter.

And he delivered. Here’s a look at his stat line :

• Points: 29
• Minutes: 26
• Field Goals: 11-of-21 (52.4%)
• Three-Pointers: 5-of-10 (50.0%)
• Free Throws: 2-of-3 (66.7%)
• Assists: 4
• Rebounds: 2
• +/-: +12 (team-best)

It was vintage Curry. He scored 19 of his 29 points in the second half, hitting clutch shots down the stretch. He even played alongside his brother Seth Curry for the first time in a regular-season game in Warriors franchise history.

The only blemish? That final missed three-pointer. But if you watched the game, you know he gave the Warriors a chance to win.

Read More: Warriors vs Clippers

Rockets vs Warriors Box Score: Full Team Stats

Let’s get into the Rockets vs Warriors box score for a complete statistical breakdown.

Team Shooting Comparison

The Rockets shot slightly better from the field, but both teams were efficient.

Advanced Stats

What stands out? The Warriors dominated bench scoring, with 61 bench points compared to Houston’s 19. But the Rockets were more efficient overall, shooting 55% from the field and 44.8% from three.

Where Was the Game Played?

The Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors game was played at Chase Center in San Francisco, California.

Chase Center has been the Warriors’ home since 2019. The atmosphere was electric on this night—not just because of the playoff implications, but because Stephen Curry was back.

This was a road game for the Rockets, but they didn’t play like visitors. Durant and company weathered the storm in a hostile environment and came away with a massive win.

What Are the NBA Standings Implications?

The Rockets moved to 49-29 on the season with this win. It marked their sixth consecutive victory.

For the Warriors, the loss was a setback in the Western Conference playoff race. But with Curry returning, they have hope. He was rusty in the final moments but showed he’s still capable of elite-level play.

Bottom Line

The Houston Rockets beat the Golden State Warriors 117-116 on April 5, 2026, in a game that had everything. Kevin Durant dropped 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists against his former team. Stephen Curry returned from a 27-game absence to score 29 points in just 26 minutes.

But it was Alperen Şengün who stole the show, scoring the game-winning layup with 11 seconds left. The Rockets shot 55% from the field, won their sixth straight, and moved to 49-29. The Warriors got a glimpse of their future with Curry back, but the night belonged to Houston.

References

1. AP Sports via NBA.com – Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Game Summary, April 5, 2026
2. NBC Sports Bay Area – Warriors vs. Rockets recap: Steph Curry sizzles with 29 points in return despite close loss
3. Türkiye Today – Alperen Sengun sinks late game-winning basket as Rockets edge Warriors in thriller match.
4. CBS Sports – Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Live Score and Stats – April 5, 2026

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