Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors Face Off in Sunday Night Showdown

Tip-off set for 10 PM ET on NBC and Peacock as the two teams battle for playoff positioning

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:06pm by Ben Kaplan

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The Rockets and Warriors clash in a crucial late-season showdown, with both teams jockeying for playoff positioning in the West.San Francisco Today

The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors will square off on Sunday night in a crucial late-season matchup with playoff implications. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC and streamed live on Peacock, with coverage beginning at 10 PM ET. The Rockets won the first meeting between the teams earlier this season, while the Warriors took the most recent contest in overtime.

Why it matters

Both the Rockets and Warriors are jockeying for position in the crowded Western Conference playoff race, making this a pivotal game as the regular season winds down. The Rockets are led by veteran star Kevin Durant, while the Warriors have been hampered by key injuries to players like Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody. Stephen Curry's potential return could provide a boost for Golden State as they look to secure a spot in the Play-In Tournament.

The details

This will be the third and final regular-season matchup between the Rockets and Warriors. Houston won the first game 104-100 in San Francisco back in November, while Golden State took the most recent contest 115-113 in overtime in March. The Warriors have been dealing with a number of injuries this season, including a torn ACL for Jimmy Butler and a torn patellar tendon for Moses Moody. Stephen Curry has also been sidelined since late January with right knee issues and is targeting a return for this game.

  • The Rockets and Warriors first met on November 26, 2025 in San Francisco, with Houston winning 104-100.
  • The teams faced off again on March 5, 2026 in Houston, with the Warriors prevailing 115-113 in overtime.
  • Tip-off for Sunday's game is set for 10 PM ET on April 5, 2026.

The players

Kevin Durant

The 37-year-old veteran is the Rockets' leading scorer and looks to guide his fifth franchise to the playoffs.

Stephen Curry

The Warriors' star point guard has been sidelined since late January with right knee issues and is targeting a return for this game.

Jimmy Butler

The Warriors' forward suffered a torn ACL on January 19 and will miss the remainder of the season.

Moses Moody

The Warriors' young wing player is out for the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his left knee on March 23.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must continue to battle and find ways to win games, especially against tough conference opponents like the Warriors. Every game is crucial at this point in the season.”

— Kevin Durant, Rockets Forward

“Getting Steph back will be a huge boost for us as we try to solidify our spot in the Play-In Tournament. We've had to overcome a lot of injuries this year, but the team is ready to step up and make a push down the stretch.”

— Steve Kerr, Warriors Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of Sunday's game will take a key step towards securing a spot in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the regular season.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Rockets and Warriors features two teams fighting for playoff positioning in the crowded Western Conference, with key injuries and the potential return of Stephen Curry adding extra intrigue to the contest. The outcome could have major implications on the postseason picture in the West.