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Warriors' comeback falls short in Steph Curry's return
Rockets spoil Curry's highly-anticipated return with late bucket to win 117-116
Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:52am by Ben Kaplan
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Despite a strong second-half performance from Steph Curry in his return from injury, the Golden State Warriors' comeback attempt fell short as the Houston Rockets held on for a 117-116 victory on Sunday night at Chase Center.
Why it matters
Curry's return was highly anticipated as the Warriors have struggled without their star point guard, losing four straight games and falling to the 10th seed in the Western Conference. The close loss highlights the Warriors' need for Curry's scoring punch as they fight to secure a playoff spot.
The details
Curry tallied 19 of his team-high 29 points in the second half to fuel the Warriors' late comeback, but his potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer fell short. Kevin Durant also had a strong game for the Warriors with 31 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. The Rockets led by as many as 15 points in the third quarter before the Warriors stormed back, taking a late lead on a bucket by Gary Payton II. However, Alperen Sengun's layup with 11 seconds left gave the Rockets the final lead.
- Curry missed the last 27 games due to a lingering knee injury.
- The game was played on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
The players
Steph Curry
The Golden State Warriors' star point guard, who returned from a 27-game absence due to a knee injury.
Kevin Durant
The Warriors' star forward, who finished with 31 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in the loss.
Gary Payton II
The Warriors' guard, who scored the go-ahead bucket late in the fourth quarter before the Rockets retook the lead.
Alperen Sengun
The Rockets' center, who scored the game-winning layup in the final seconds to secure the victory for Houston.
Draymond Green
The Warriors' veteran forward, who recorded a key assist on Payton's go-ahead bucket in the fourth quarter.
What they’re saying
“While the loss is disappointing, it was great to see Steph back on the court and leading our comeback effort. We know how much this team needs him as we fight to secure a playoff spot.”
— Steve Kerr, Warriors Head Coach
What’s next
The Warriors will look to bounce back on Tuesday when they host the Sacramento Kings. Curry's return is a positive sign as the team tries to solidify its playoff positioning with just four games remaining in the regular season.
The takeaway
Steph Curry's return from injury provided a much-needed spark for the struggling Warriors, but their late comeback ultimately fell short against the Rockets. The close loss highlights Golden State's need for Curry's scoring and playmaking as they battle to secure a postseason berth in the crowded Western Conference playoff race.
