The Golden State Warriors held off a furious rally by the Houston Rockets in a 122-118 thriller at Chase Center on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 — a game that swung like a pendulum, then snapped shut with a dagger from Steph Curry in the final 90 seconds. It wasn’t the Warriors’ most polished performance, but it was their most heart-stopping. And it was all thanks to Reed Shepard, whose 28-point explosion nearly pulled off the impossible.
A First Half Built on Fireworks
The Warriors came out smoking. Six of their first seven shots went in — three of them from deep, all off movement, all off Steph Curry’s gravity. By the time the first quarter ended, San Francisco led 25-22, but the real story was the pace. Both teams were in the bonus before the 8-minute mark. The Rockets, despite being on the road, matched them shot for shot. Amen Thompson danced through traffic for 12 points, quiet but deadly. And then there was Shepard — a 24-year-old guard who entered the night averaging 14.3 points, suddenly playing like a man possessed.
At halftime, the Warriors were up 68-56. The lead felt safe. Too safe. The Rockets had shot just 36% from the field and 27% from three. Their offense looked disjointed. But they had eight offensive rebounds. And they still had Shepard.
The Comeback That Shook the Bay
Here’s the thing: nobody expected Houston to win. Not with Draymond Green smothering Tate every time he touched the ball. Not with Jabari Smith Jr. getting locked down by Curry on switches. Not with Alperen Şengün picking up his fourth foul with 7:23 left in the third.
But then Aaron Holiday hit a step-back three from the corner. Then Shepard answered with a pull-up from the logo. Then Richard Butler, the Warriors’ rookie, missed a layup he usually makes. The crowd fell silent. The Rockets had their first lead of the game — 98-97 — with 4:17 left in the third. The arena, usually buzzing with chants of "M-V-P," was holding its breath.
"That’s when I knew," said one fan in the upper deck, wiping sweat from his brow. "They weren’t just playing. They were believing."
Warriors’ Resilience vs. Rockets’ Grit
The fourth quarter was a chess match with fireworks. Steph Curry turned a defensive stop into a transition three, then found Richard Butler on a backdoor cut for a finger-roll. But Shepard answered every time. A mid-range fade. A drive-and-kick to Holiday. A baseline spin move that left Klay Thompson stumbling.
With 1:12 left, the score was tied at 116. The Rockets had the ball. Immanuel 'Ime' Udoka called timeout. The Warriors’ defense, usually so disciplined, looked ragged. Then, on the inbound, Draymond Green read the play, stepped in front of a pass to Şengün, and triggered a fast break. Curry, sprinting from the wing, caught the pass at half-court and pulled up from 28 feet. Swish.
"That’s Steph Curry," said Steve Kerr, the Warriors’ head coach, afterward. "He doesn’t need a clean look. He just needs a heartbeat."
Why This Game Matters
The Rockets, at 11-4, were tied for the best record in the Western Conference. A win here would’ve pushed them past the San Antonio Spurs into sole possession of first place. Instead, they fell to 11-5. The Warriors, now 15-3, stayed atop the Pacific Division. But more than standings, this game exposed a truth: Houston isn’t just a contender. They’re a threat — even without their starting point guard, who’s still recovering from a hamstring strain.
Shepard’s 28 points were a breakout moment. He’s not a star yet. But he’s becoming someone who can carry a team when it matters. And that’s terrifying for the rest of the West.
What’s Next?
The Rockets fly to Denver on Friday to face the Nuggets, who are 13-4 and hungry for revenge after losing to Houston in October. The Warriors, meanwhile, host the Phoenix Suns on Saturday — a team they’ve beaten twice already this season. But with Curry averaging 31.4 points over his last five games, and Butler showing flashes of All-Rookie potential, San Francisco looks like a team that’s just hitting its stride.
One thing’s clear: the Rockets aren’t going away. And Reed Shepard? He’s no longer just a name on the roster. He’s a reason to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Reed Shepard’s performance compare to his season average?
Reed Shepard entered the game averaging 14.3 points per game this season. His 28-point outburst against the Warriors was nearly double that, marking his first 25+ point game of the year and the highest-scoring performance by a Rockets guard since Jalen Green scored 31 in October. It was also the most points by a Houston player off the bench this season.
Why was Alperen Şengün’s fourth foul such a turning point?
Şengün, Houston’s primary interior scorer and rebounder, had been effective with 11 points and 7 rebounds through three quarters. His fourth foul with 7:23 left in the third forced him to the bench, removing Houston’s only consistent post presence. Without him, the Rockets struggled to create space inside, forcing more perimeter shots — which they shot just 27% on during the second half.
What role did Richard Butler play in the Warriors’ victory?
The rookie forward, Richard Butler, contributed 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including a crucial backdoor layup after a Curry drive-and-kick. His ability to finish in traffic and move without the ball helped stretch the Rockets’ defense. With Andrew Wiggins sidelined by injury, Butler’s emergence as a reliable secondary scorer could be pivotal for Golden State’s playoff push.
How did the Warriors’ three-point shooting impact the game?
Golden State made 14 three-pointers overall, with Curry accounting for five of them. Their early six-of-seven shooting from deep set the tone, and they maintained a 41% clip from beyond the arc for the game. That shooting kept Houston’s defense spread thin, allowing drives to the rim and creating space for Butler and Jonathan Kuminga to attack the basket.
What does this loss mean for the Rockets’ playoff positioning?
The loss dropped Houston to 11-5, tying them with the Spurs but falling behind on tiebreakers. With the Grizzlies and Clippers gaining ground, every game now matters. The Rockets have the third-easiest remaining schedule in the West, but they can’t afford more losses like this — especially at home against teams they’re expected to beat.
Is this a sign that the Warriors are back as title contenders?
With a 15-3 record and the league’s second-best net rating, the Warriors look like a legitimate threat. Curry is playing like a MVP candidate again, and the emergence of Butler and the steady play of Kuminga suggest depth beyond the core. They’ve won six straight at Chase Center, and their defense, once a weakness, now ranks in the top five. If they stay healthy, they’re not just contenders — they’re a nightmare matchup in the playoffs.