Rockets Look to Clean Up Mistakes Against Warriors

Houston Rockets aim to address turnover issues as they face injury-depleted Golden State Warriors.

Mar. 5, 2026 at 5:49am

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The Houston Rockets are locked in a tight race for the third seed in the Western Conference, but their tendency to commit turnovers has been a persistent issue. As they prepare to face the Golden State Warriors, the Rockets must find a way to clean up their mistakes and protect the ball better if they want to fend off the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets in the standings. The Warriors, meanwhile, are dealing with a number of key injuries, including the absence of Stephen Curry, which has contributed to their recent struggles.

Why it matters

The Rockets' turnover problems have been a detriment to their success this season, and they will need to address this issue if they want to secure a favorable playoff position. The Warriors' injury woes have also impacted their performance, and this upcoming stretch will test their collective will as they try to maintain their grip on the eighth seed in the West.

The details

In their recent win over the Washington Wizards, the Rockets committed 21 turnovers, with Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant responsible for two-thirds of that total. This has been a recurring problem for Houston, who rank near the bottom of the league in turnovers per game. As the playoffs approach, the Rockets must find a way to play with greater ball security and avoid fueling opponents with live-ball turnovers. Meanwhile, the Warriors have been dealing with a number of key injuries, including the absence of Stephen Curry, which has contributed to their recent 6-11 stretch. With their roster compromised, the Warriors will be tested as they try to maintain their hold on the eighth seed in the West.

  • The Rockets claimed a 123-118 victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday.
  • The Rockets will play eight of their next 10 games at home, starting Thursday against the Golden State Warriors.

The players

Alperen Sengun

A 26-year-old center for the Houston Rockets who recorded a double-double with 32 points and 13 rebounds in the team's recent win over the Washington Wizards.

Kevin Durant

A star forward for the Houston Rockets who scored 30 points on just 15 shot attempts in the team's win over the Wizards.

Amen Thompson

A rookie guard for the Houston Rockets who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds before leaving the game with an ankle injury.

Reed Sheppard

A guard for the Houston Rockets who continued his strong play of late, contributing 19 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and six steals in the win over the Wizards.

Stephen Curry

The star point guard for the Golden State Warriors who has been sidelined with a knee injury and is not expected to be reevaluated until next week, close to his 38th birthday.

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What they’re saying

“We turned it over too much, but a lot of that was late. We can correct that type of stuff.”

— Kevin Durant

“We'll fix it with some film. It's easy to fix that next game.”

— Alperen Sengun

“It's tough to sustain that kind of effort for 48 minutes when you're severely undermanned. You have to generate that energy defensively to try to create some offense out of it like we did in the first half.”

— Steve Kerr, Warriors Coach

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.