Rockets Edge Warriors in Curry's Return

Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun lead Houston to narrow victory over Stephen Curry and Golden State.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a highly anticipated matchup, the Houston Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors 117-116 as Stephen Curry made his return after missing over two months due to injury. Rockets center Alperen Sengun scored the go-ahead layup with 11 seconds left on a pass from Kevin Durant to secure the narrow victory.

Why it matters

This game marked the return of Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, who had been sidelined for over two months with an injury. His comeback was highly anticipated by fans, as the Warriors have struggled in his absence. The close victory for the Rockets over the shorthanded Warriors also has implications for the Western Conference playoff race.

The details

Trailing by one point in the final seconds, the Rockets executed a perfect pick-and-roll play, with Kevin Durant finding Alperen Sengun for the game-winning layup to give Houston the 117-116 victory. Stephen Curry played well in his return, scoring 23 points, but it was not enough to overcome the Rockets' balanced scoring attack led by Durant's 32 points.

  • The game was played on April 6, 2026.
  • Curry had been sidelined for over two months prior to this game.

The players

Kevin Durant

An All-Star forward for the Houston Rockets who scored a team-high 32 points and made the game-winning assist.

Alperen Sengun

The Rockets' young center who made the go-ahead layup in the final seconds to secure the victory.

Stephen Curry

The superstar guard for the Golden State Warriors who returned from a two-month injury absence to score 23 points in the losing effort.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It was great to have Steph back out there, but we knew we had to bring our A-game to get the win. I'm proud of the way the team executed down the stretch.”

— Kevin Durant, Rockets Forward

What’s next

The Rockets will look to build on this narrow victory as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Warriors will hope that Curry's return can help them regain their form and make a late-season surge.

The takeaway

This close game between two Western Conference contenders showcased the high level of talent and competitiveness in the NBA. The Rockets' ability to execute in the final seconds and hold off Curry's Warriors demonstrates the depth and resilience of this Houston squad.