The Rockets stormed back from a 16-point deficit to grab a fourth-quarter lead, but they couldn’t hold it in Sunday’s 106-95 loss (box score) to Golden State. Houston, which played its home opener of the 2023-24 regular season. is now 0-3 under new coach Ime Udoka.
The Rockets held Steph Curry in check for much of the game, but the future Hall of Famer exploded late with four 3-pointers in the game’s final six minutes as the Warriors (2-1) pulled away. Curry finished with a game-high 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, and he connected on 6-of-14 from 3-point range (42.9%).
Jalen Green led the Rockets with 21 points and 9 rebounds, though he shot just 8-of-20 from the field (40.0%) and 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20.0%). Other Houston players of note included:
- Alperen Sengun: 19 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds; 7-of-15 shooting (46.7%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%), 4-of-4 on free throws
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
- Dillon Brooks: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists; 4-of-10 shooting (40.0%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
- Amen Thompson: 9 points, 4 rebounds in 20 minutes; 3-of-5 shooting (60.0%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
- Jae’Sean Tate: 6 points, 8 rebounds in 22 minutes; 2-of-6 shooting (33.3%)
Veteran backcourt mate Klay Thompson added 19 points for the Warriors and made 5-of-10 from 3-point range (50.0%). Overall, Golden State’s 18-of-45 night (40.0%) from long range proved to be too much of a math advantage to overcome for a gritty Houston squad that competed hard but made just 9-of-33 shots (27.3%) from deep.
Here are highlights and interviews from Sunday, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston, as a season-long homestand of seven games continues, is Wednesday’s matchup versus Charlotte. Tipoff from Toyota Center is at 7:00 p.m. Central.
Oct. 29 Rockets-Warriors reaction
The #Rockets are now 0-3, but the improvement between each game has been monumental.
They just went toe-to-toe with a healthy Warriors team and it took a Steph Curry three-point barrage for Golden State to pull away late.
Lots of work needed, but the process has been good.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 30, 2023
Ime Udoka on if there's anything you can do to slow Stephen Curry: "You can not help him get going by blowing assignments."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 30, 2023
Steph entered the game when it was tied at 85-85, 7 min left.
21-10 run to close, he had 14 of those points himself.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) October 30, 2023
I know people don't want to hear this, and "moral victories" yada yada yada, but that was an impressive fight against a title contender where we should have been blown out at multiple points. It's incremental progress. The wins will come.
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) October 30, 2023
Just think the starters can then play through FVV/Sengun or Jalen/Sengun, and Tari is as good a spot up shooter right now as Bari (if not better).
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) October 30, 2023
That "dawg" is where Tari is sorely missed. He gives the bench an edge. https://t.co/Rz5hmAYAl9
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 30, 2023
Make that 11 straight https://t.co/BOESnhC2On
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 30, 2023
Didn’t expect the #Rockets to actually be able to close this one out but I’ll go with the moral victory here. Like how they played in the second half.
— B. Scott from Hiram Clarke (@brandonkscott) October 30, 2023
Stephen Curry will go down as one of the greatest players to ever play the game, but whenever he touches the court at Toyota Center he turns into *the* greatest player to play the game.
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) October 30, 2023
Rockets are fighting. Hard.
But Steph Curry is Steph Currying.
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) October 30, 2023
#Rockets now 9-of-32 on 3s. Warriors 18-of-43.
They're playing hard and smart, just not enough shotmaking
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) October 30, 2023
OH MY GOODNESS IT WAS INEVITABLE. https://t.co/PD0QSPMHAK
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) October 30, 2023
Steph Curry hits the 3 over Dillon Brooks then does the HOME ALONE celebration pic.twitter.com/3o4cyrPaXX
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 30, 2023
JALEN GREEN !!!!!#Rockets vs Warriors@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/h3Do913SdC
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) October 30, 2023
Steph to @NBCSWarriors on Dillon Brooks: "We know what he's about and his reputation. I don't get caught up in that. I just play basketball. So, you obviously let the game do the talking. … There's a lot of history with him particularly. At the end of the day, you just hoop."
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) October 30, 2023
FVV talking about not making the adjustments based on how GS was playing him.
"I didn't take the floater, didn't get to the line…"
This from a seasoned veteran. An All Star. An NBA champion. It happens. #Rockets young guys are gonna be fine. Relax.
— Don Dougan (@don_dougan) October 30, 2023
Jae’Sean Tate said he needed a couple of stitches after suffering a cut to his left middle finger in the fourth quarter of tonight’s game
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) October 30, 2023
If Fred plays a little better things are very different, they absolutely cannot survive a game where is this bad on both ends, can't be too hard on him because he's been carrying, but he was really bad tonight
— Abel (@AbelGe87) October 30, 2023
Jae'Sean Tate is completely outworking the Warriors on some of these possessions.
Hustling his ass off.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 30, 2023
This going to be a long year with no star
— Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) October 30, 2023
We won’t win many games with the bench being in the double digit negatives
— Apathetic (@ftank58) October 30, 2023
Jae'Sean Tate tonight vs GSW
6 PTS / 8 REB / 2 BLK / 2 STL#Rockets fall the Warriors 106-95@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/giHodjZ9IE— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) October 30, 2023
I like that Amen Thompson shoots with confidence, narrative be damned. #Rockets #HTownHoops
— B. Scott from Hiram Clarke (@brandonkscott) October 30, 2023
Asked Fred VanVleet about his offensive production tonight:
"I was sh*t. Sh*t. I was bad. You gotta be able to adjust, have counters. They were pressing up on me sending me to the rim. Didn't shoot the floater like I should've. Just wasn't good enough."
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 30, 2023
