Late Rockets Bucket Spoils Stephen Curry's Return to Warriors

Alperen Sengun's go-ahead shot in final seconds lifts Houston over Golden State

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:49am by

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Stephen Curry returned from a two-month absence and scored 29 points, but Alperen Sengun's go-ahead basket with 11.1 seconds remaining lifted the Houston Rockets to a 117-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night in San Francisco. Kevin Durant poured in a game-high 31 points for the Rockets, who moved within one game of the Lakers and Nuggets in the Western Conference standings. Brandin Podziemski added 18 points for the Warriors, who virtually assured themselves of the 10th seed in the Western play-in tournament.

Why it matters

This game had major playoff implications, with the Rockets fighting for a top-4 seed in the West and the Warriors trying to avoid the play-in tournament. Curry's return was highly anticipated, but the Rockets were able to spoil it with a late comeback and game-winning shot from Sengun.

The details

The Rockets led by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, but the Warriors rallied late, taking a 116-115 lead on a Gary Payton II layup with 19.6 seconds left. However, Sengun answered with a go-ahead four-footer in the final seconds to give Houston the win. Curry shot 11-of-21 from the field in his return, while Durant led the Rockets with 31 points, 8 assists and 8 rebounds.

  • Sengun's game-winning basket came with 11.1 seconds remaining in the game.
  • Curry returned to the court for the first time since a Jan. 30 injury against Detroit.

The players

Stephen Curry

The star point guard for the Golden State Warriors, who returned from a two-month absence due to a sore right knee.

Alperen Sengun

The 24-year-old center for the Houston Rockets, who hit the game-winning shot in the final seconds.

Kevin Durant

The veteran forward for the Houston Rockets, who scored a game-high 31 points.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

The takeaway

This game showcased the high-stakes battle for playoff positioning in the Western Conference, with the Rockets and Warriors fighting for very different stakes. Curry's return was a major storyline, but the Rockets were able to spoil it with a late comeback and game-winning shot, highlighting the competitive nature of the NBA playoff race.