A comeback everyone was waiting for — and it delivered fast
Stephen Curry’s return was one of the big NBA stories of the night, and the Golden State Warriors star did his part. Out for more than two months, the point guard put up a strong 29-point display in just 26 minutes.
Stephen Curry 29 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 11/21 FG, 5/10 3FG, 65% TS vs Rockets pic.twitter.com/HYMFMlnnJv https://t.co/SqYrLd21dR
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) April 6, 2026
Roared on by the San Francisco crowd, Curry looked sharp from the off, drilling threes and slicing through the lane. But even with his comeback going pretty much to plan, Golden State still lost on the buzzer to the Houston Rockets, 117-116, after a final stretch that had everyone on edge.
A tight fight from start to finish
The game opened at pace and never really let up. The Warriors, fed by the home crowd and the return of their leader, tried to seize control. Houston weren’t having it. They answered with grit and discipline.
Kevin Durant, looking especially keen against his old side, led the Texas attack. The forward finished with 31 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, underlining just how central he was to the win.
KD was HOOPIN’ in the Bay!
🚀 31 PTS (10-17 FGM)
🚀 8 REB
🚀 8 AST
🚀 3 BLK
🚀 3 3PMHouston wins their 6th straight game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1ESh3Gd5ZT
— NBA (@NBA) April 6, 2026
Both teams traded blows and neither could land the killer run. It stayed alive right to the last minute.
Curry catches fire late
In the fourth quarter, Stephen Curry took over. He kept coming up with big plays, including a huge lay-up with 1 minute 27 left that dragged the Warriors back within a point.
Seconds later, he buried a massive three to give Golden State hope again. As ever, Curry looked ready to drag the game over the line by himself.
STEPH MAKES IT A 1-POINT GAME!
HIS 5th THREE OF THE NIGHT 🔥
HOU 115, GSW 114… 33.0 SECONDS TO PLAY 🍿 pic.twitter.com/fHFxzfe3kn
— NBA (@NBA) April 6, 2026
But this time, the script didn’t go his way.
Sengun lands the knockout blow
With the pressure cranked all the way up, Alperen Sengun stepped up at the perfect moment. Set up by Kevin Durant, the Turkish centre finished the decisive lay-up with 11 seconds left.
It was a killer for the Warriors, who had only just edged back in front through Gary Payton II.
Golden State had one last shot to steal it, but Stephen Curry missed a deep three in the dying seconds.
Houston could finally celebrate.
Durant runs the show against his former team
Up against his old teammates, Kevin Durant put in a complete, vital performance. Beyond his 31 points, he handled the key moments, including a big long-range hit a little over two minutes from the end.
His calm in the clutch proved huge, especially with the assist for Sengun.
He owned the moment in a game played at full throttle.
Rockets win it together
Sengun got the winner, but this was built on a proper team effort from the Houston Rockets.
Jabari Smith Jr. added 23 points and nine rebounds, while Amen Thompson chipped in with 18 points and seven assists.
Houston stayed composed under pressure and shrugged off every Warriors push, which is why they head home with a big win.
Encouraging signs for the Warriors
Even in defeat, there was plenty for the Golden State Warriors to take.
Curry’s return is a major boost with the season winding down. To come straight back after such a long layoff and still torch a defence says plenty about where he’s at. He’s still the one who changes everything.
Golden State also showed some backbone by hanging around until the finish.
A brutal ending, but one with promise
In the end, this will go down as a statement return for Stephen Curry and a statement win for the Houston Rockets.
With Kevin Durant in command, Alperen Sengun keeping his cool and Curry putting on a show, this had all the ingredients.
And even though the winner didn’t drop, one thing’s clear: Curry is back.
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