Warriors Stun Rockets in OT Thriller Despite Depleted Roster

Brandin Podziemski and Draymond Green lead the way as Golden State pulls off the upset on the road.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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With seven players sidelined, including Stephen Curry, the depleted Golden State Warriors stunned the Houston Rockets 115-113 in overtime. Brandin Podziemski led the Dubs with 26 points and 9 rebounds, including a clutch 3-pointer in OT, while Draymond Green turned back the clock with a vintage performance of 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists. The Warriors also got key contributions from their two-way contract players, showcasing the team's depth despite the injuries.

Why it matters

This win keeps the Warriors firmly in the play-in tournament race as they await Curry's return, maintaining their position ahead of teams like the Clippers and Blazers who are looking to challenge them. The victory also provides a much-needed morale boost for the undermanned squad, proving they can still compete with the league's best when their stars are out.

The details

Podziemski scored 11 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, including a clutch 26-foot 3-pointer with 2:32 left in OT to give the Warriors the lead. Draymond Green also stepped up, guarding Rockets star Kevin Durant and putting up a classic stat line. The Warriors also got valuable minutes from their two-way contract players, with LJ Cryer hitting a big 3-pointer in overtime and Malefy Leons and Nate Williams providing solid production off the bench.

  • The game took place on March 6, 2026.

The players

Brandin Podziemski

A key contributor for the Warriors, Podziemski led the team with 26 points and 9 rebounds, including a clutch 3-pointer in overtime to give Golden State the lead.

Draymond Green

The veteran Warriors star put up a vintage performance with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists, while also guarding Rockets star Kevin Durant as the primary defender.

Steve Kerr

The Warriors head coach praised the team's effort and the performances of Podziemski and Green, calling Green's play "vintage Draymond."

LJ Cryer

One of the Warriors' two-way contract players, Cryer came up big in overtime with a crucial 3-pointer to help secure the win.

Malefy Leons

Another two-way contract player for the Warriors, Leons provided solid minutes off the bench when the team needed it most.

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What they’re saying

“I thought that was Brandin's best game of the year. There was just the right mix of on and off-ball attacks. You saw him get that flare and dive layup to start overtime that gave us the lead. He recognizes those plays probably better than anyone else on the floor.”

— Steve Kerr, Warriors Head Coach (clutchpoints.com)

“Vintage Draymond. The defense, the leadership, the force, the passing.”

— Steve Kerr, Warriors Head Coach (clutchpoints.com)

“I don't enjoy guarding Kevin. I enjoy competing against greats, and Kevin is one of the all-time greats. Top five NBA basketball player in the history of this game... I'm always excited for it.”

— Draymond Green (clutchpoints.com)

What’s next

The Warriors will look to build on this momentum as they continue to hold down the fort until Stephen Curry can return from injury. Their next game is against the Clippers on March 10th, which could have major implications for their playoff positioning.

The takeaway

Despite being severely shorthanded, the Warriors proved they can still compete with the league's best teams by relying on their depth and getting heroic performances from unlikely heroes like Brandin Podziemski and their two-way contract players. This win showcases the team's resilience and ability to overcome adversity, keeping them in the playoff hunt until their stars can get healthy.