“On the road, Golden State is stunned by rockets that ignite offence.”2025
The Houston Rockets shocked the Golden State Warriors with a 124-116 victory at the Chase Centre in a road victory that combined boldness, accuracy, and unrelenting pace. The victory not only ended the Rockets’ recent losing streaks to postseason-caliber teams, but it also demonstrated how their youthful core was developing at the right time of year.
The Warriors, who have long been considered the NBA’s dominant team and consistent title contenders, were outplayed and outgunned in a game that swung in favour of Houston halfway through the second quarter and never completely turned around.
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A Star is Forged: Jalen Green’s Breakout Moment
Even though Jalen Green has given his share of highlight reels, his performance on Monday night might have been the most comprehensive and significant to date. Green scorched the Warriors’ backcourt with 34 points on 13 of 22 shooting, slicing past opponents and pulling up with the assurance that characterises closers.
Green’s ability to read the defence and choose his shots was what really stood out about his performance. He consistently took advantage of mismatches, punished drop coverage, and even skilfully made contested three-pointers. This was a show of growth, not just a hot night.
Alperen Şengün: The Maestro in the Middle
Alperen Şengün led the attack like a seasoned veteran, while Green supplied the fireworks. Operating from the high post, the Turkish big man forced the Warriors’ defence into awkward rotations while dishing out nine assists and scoring 21 points. He frequently created wide-open threes or simple backdoor cuts with his slick passing, which broke up Golden State’s usually formidable defensive schemes.
It’s no secret that Şengün’s passing ability and sense of the game have led to comparisons to Nikola Jokić; in this matchup, he more than held his own against Kevon Looney and Draymond Green.
Fast Break Frenzy and Defensive Hustle
Houston’s ability to cause havoc on the defensive end was what drove their offensive explosion. Many of the 17 turnovers the Rockets forced were converted into fast-break opportunities. On the perimeter, Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks were especially active, blocking passing lanes and turning defence into immediate attack.
The Rockets played at warp speed, which is important in the modern NBA. In his pre-game press conference, coach Ime Udoka stressed pace and transition buckets, and the team flawlessly carried out his strategy. They clearly controlled the tempo, as evidenced by their final 26 fast-break points compared to Golden State’s 10.
Warriors Falter Despite Curry’s Brilliance
The Warriors deserve credit for not rolling over. With 31 points at the end and multiple deep daggers that momentarily energised the home crowd, Steph Curry was once again a threat from anywhere on the court. Klay Thompson scored 18 points, but his lack of consistency still begs the question of how he will perform when it counts.
However, the Warriors’ interior defence and bench were their weakest points. The Rockets’ lead was maintained even when the starters took a break thanks to the energy of their second unit, which was led by Cam Whitmore and Jabari Smith Jr. and outscored Golden State’s bench 41-28.
A Signature Win for Houston
Houston’s victory goes beyond the box score. This type of game has the power to change the course of a story, particularly for a team that is frequently criticised for being too young, too unpredictable, or too dependent on talent. It’s no small accomplishment to defeat the Warriors at home, and the team’s poise in doing so shows they are beginning to understand how to win.
This performance was heavily influenced by Coach Udoka. The Rockets put pressure on Golden State’s ageing defence by spacing the floor well, running fluid half-court sets, and defending without fouling. More significantly, the Rockets had faith in their ability to win, which hasn’t always been evident in previous years.
Looking Ahead
With momentum growing, the Rockets could have a pivotal moment in their season as they are now only one game behind the play-in tournament cutoff. Games like this remind a franchise that has been rebuilding and reorganising over the past few years that the future may be coming sooner than anticipated.
