Rockets Beat Warriors 115-108 as Curry Exits Early and Smart Is Ejected
The Houston Rockets beat the Golden State Warriors 115-108 on Wednesday night, ending Golden State's eight-game winning streak. It was the Warriors' longest run of wins since 2022. They drop to 8-4 on the season.
The biggest concern for Golden State came in the first quarter. Stephen Curry left with right abdominal soreness and never returned. Entering the night, Curry ranked second in the NBA with 30.6 points per game, and he had scored three points before he exited.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said concern about Curry's injury is high. Curry was due to have an MRI, an imaging scan that looks inside the body, on the abdominal injury. The Guardian reported those details.
The night's other major moment came late in the third quarter. Houston guard Marcus Smart punched Golden State's Charles Bassey, and the blow appeared to lightly strike Bassey's nose. The officials issued Smart a Flagrant 2 foul, the penalty for hard contact the referees judge to be excessive and unnecessary. After a review, Smart was ejected from the game.
The scoring came from several players. Yaxel Lendeborg led Golden State with 25 points and 10 rebounds, a double-double, which means reaching double digits in two statistical categories in one game. Brandin Podziemski added 22 points for the Warriors. Kevin Durant scored 20 for Houston.
Golden State also played without two key wings. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody missed the game with knee injuries.
Curry's scan will decide how long the Warriors go without their leading scorer. For Houston, the win is a clean result after a physical night, with the Rockets winning despite losing Smart to the ejection in the second half.
