Warriors vs. Rockets: Houston Looks to Extend Winning Streak

Golden State Faces Uphill Battle with Injuries as Houston Aims for Season Sweep

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Golden State Warriors (31-30) will travel to Houston to take on the Rockets (38-22) in a Western Conference matchup. Houston leads the season series 1-0 after a narrow 104-100 victory in November. The Rockets have been surging lately, winning 7 of their last 10 games, while the Warriors have struggled with a 4-6 record over the same stretch. Golden State will be shorthanded, missing several key players due to injuries.

Why it matters

This game has significant playoff implications, as the Rockets look to solidify their position in the top half of the West, while the Warriors are trying to hold onto their spot in the postseason picture. The outcome could impact the seeding and potential matchups in the upcoming playoffs.

The details

The Rockets will look to their star forward Kevin Durant to lead the way against his former team. Houston will also rely on the continued strong play of reserve guard Reed Sheppard, who had a career-high 31 points in the previous meeting. The Warriors will need strong performances from veteran Draymond Green and young players like Brandin Podziemski and De'Anthony Melton to fill the void left by Stephen Curry's absence due to injury.

  • The teams last met in November 2025, with the Rockets winning 104-100.
  • This game will be played on March 5, 2026.

The players

Kevin Durant

The Rockets' star forward and one of the best players in the NBA.

Reed Sheppard

The Rockets' reserve guard who had a career-high 31 points in the previous meeting against the Warriors.

Draymond Green

The veteran leader of the Warriors, known for his all-around contributions on the court.

Brandin Podziemski

A young Warriors player who will be asked to step up in the absence of Stephen Curry.

De'Anthony Melton

Another Warriors player who will need to contribute more with Curry out.

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What they’re saying

“Reed Sheppard has been a real spark plug for us off the bench. We're counting on him to have another big game against the Warriors.”

— Stephen Silas, Rockets Head Coach (Houston Chronicle)

“Draymond's leadership is going to be crucial for us during this stretch. We need him to set the tone on both ends of the floor.”

— Steve Kerr, Warriors Head Coach (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Rockets will look to complete the season sweep of the Warriors when the teams meet again on March 20th in San Francisco.

The takeaway

This game showcases the contrasting fortunes of the two teams, with the surging Rockets looking to solidify their playoff position and the injury-plagued Warriors fighting to stay in the postseason race. The outcome could have significant implications for the Western Conference standings.