Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Match Player Stats
Introduction Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Match Player Stats:
The March 5, 2026 game between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors gave basketball fans everything they wanted and more. When we look at the houston rockets vs golden state warriors match player stats, one thing becomes crystal clear: this was a game for the ages. The Warriors walked into Toyota Center missing some of their biggest names. Stephen Curry sat out with a knee injury for the twelfth straight game. Jimmy Butler was also sidelined . Most people thought the Rockets would have an easy night.
But basketball games are not played on paper. They are played on the court by hungry players ready to prove something. The final score read 115-113 in favor of Golden State after an overtime period that had everyone on the edge of their seats . This game showed us why we love this sport so much. Young players stepped up. Veterans made big plays. And the stats tell a beautiful story of effort, heart, and pure basketball skill.
Game Summary: How the Action Unfolded
The game started with Golden State jumping out fast. They scored 30 points in the first quarter while holding Houston to just 20 . De’Anthony Melton caught fire early, scoring 10 points in the first quarter alone . The Warriors led by as many as 11 points early on. But the Rockets are not a team that quits. They fought back in the second quarter with a 10-0 run that tied the game at 45 . Josh Okogie hit some big threes off the bench to spark the comeback. The halftime score showed Golden State up 51-47 .
The third quarter saw more back-and-forth action. Houston took their first lead of the game late in the quarter when Amen Thompson hit a rare three-pointer, followed by a steal and dunk . The Rockets led 82-81 heading into the fourth. The final quarter was a battle. Alperen Sengun scored three straight baskets for Houston at one point. The game went to overtime tied at 101. In the extra period, Brandin Podziemski took over with a three-pointer and a driving layup. The houston rockets vs golden state warriors match player stats from overtime show how clutch both teams were when it mattered most.
Houston Rockets Player Stats and Performance
The Rockets had some outstanding individual performances in this loss. Reed Sheppard was absolutely incredible off the bench. He scored 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting from the field . He also knocked down six three-pointers and dished out six assists . For a young player to perform like this in a big game shows something special. Kevin Durant added 23 points while shooting 50 percent from the floor . He played 36 minutes and grabbed several key rebounds. However, he missed two crucial free throws in overtime that hurt the Rockets’ chances .
Amen Thompson recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds . He also played strong defense throughout the night. Jabari Smith Jr. returned to the starting lineup after missing two games with an ankle sprain . He grabbed 11 rebounds to lead all players on the boards . Alperen Sengun scored some huge baskets late in regulation, including three straight at one point . Looking at the houston rockets vs golden state warriors match player stats, you can see this was a team effort even in defeat.
Golden State Warriors Player Stats and Performance
The Warriors played this game with only 10 healthy players . They had to rely on everyone, including three players on two-way contracts. Brandin Podziemski led the way with 26 points . He made big play after big play in overtime. His three-pointer and driving layup in the extra period gave Golden State a five-point lead that proved to be the difference . De’Anthony Melton scored 23 points and played a season-high 30 minutes . His tip-in layup with 5.3 seconds left in overtime pushed the lead to 115-112 and essentially sealed the win .
Al Horford contributed 17 points, including some timely three-pointers . Draymond Green stuffed the stat sheet with points, assists, and incredible defense on Kevin Durant . Green held Durant to just 17 points through regulation and finished as a plus-12 for the game . LJ Cryer provided a huge spark off the bench with 12 points, including four three-pointers . He played in front of his former home crowd after starring at the University of Houston. The houston rockets vs golden state warriors match player stats show a team that refused to lose despite being short-handed.
Complete Box Score: Full Player Stats Table
Here are the complete houston rockets vs golden state warriors match player stats from this thrilling overtime contest. These numbers come directly from official NBA sources .
| Golden State Warriors | MIN | PTS | FG | 3PT | FT | REB | AST | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandin Podziemski | 36 | 26 | 10-18 | 4-8 | 2-2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| De’Anthony Melton | 30 | 23 | 9-16 | 3-6 | 2-2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Al Horford | 28 | 17 | 7-12 | 3-5 | 0-0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Draymond Green | 34 | 8 | 3-5 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
| Gui Santos | 22 | 5 | 2-4 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| LJ Cryer | 20 | 12 | 4-7 | 4-6 | 0-0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Pat Spencer | 18 | 8 | 4-6 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Houston Rockets | MIN | PTS | FG | 3PT | FT | REB | AST | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reed Sheppard | 28 | 30 | 12-19 | 6-9 | 0-0 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Kevin Durant | 38 | 23 | 9-18 | 3-6 | 2-4 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Amen Thompson | 35 | 18 | 7-12 | 1-2 | 3-4 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Alperen Sengun | 32 | 14 | 6-11 | 0-1 | 2-2 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Jabari Smith Jr. | 31 | 8 | 2-8 | 0-2 | 4-4 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Josh Okogie | 16 | 11 | 4-6 | 3-5 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tari Eason | 24 | 6 | 3-7 | 0-3 | 0-0 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Key Matchups That Decided the Game
The game featured several fascinating individual battles. Draymond Green versus Kevin Durant was the headliner. These two won championships together in Golden State. Now they compete against each other. Green’s defense on Durant was masterful. He made Durant work for every shot . Durant finished with good numbers, but he missed critical free throws late. Another key matchup was on the boards. Jabari Smith Jr. grabbed 11 rebounds for Houston . The Rockets as a team out-rebounded Golden State 47-38 .
But the Warriors made up for it with timely shooting and smart defense. The point guard battle between De’Anthony Melton and Amen Thompson was also fun to watch. Both players filled the stat sheet in different ways. When we study the houston rockets vs golden state warriors match player stats, we see that individual matchups often tell us more than team totals.
Bench Production: The Unsung Heroes
Both teams got huge contributions from their bench players. For Golden State, LJ Cryer was the story. He scored 12 points in 20 minutes and made four three-pointers . This came in his first game back from injury after missing 14 straight contests . Playing in Houston where he won championships in college made it extra special. Pat Spencer added 8 points and showed great energy.
For the Rockets, Reed Sheppard was the leading scorer for the entire game with 30 points off the bench . Josh Okogie chipped in 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting . The Rockets bench outscored the Warriors bench in total points. But Golden State’s reserves made their shots count at the most important moments. Looking at the houston rockets vs golden state warriors match player stats, bench production often determines who wins close games like this one.
Shooting Efficiency and Team Stats
The shooting numbers tell an interesting story about this game. Golden State shot 45.2 percent from the field overall . They made 6 of 20 three-point attempts for 30 percent. At the free throw line, they shot 77.8 percent. Houston shot 43.5 percent from the floor . They connected on 5 of 17 three-point tries for 29.4 percent. But they were perfect from the free throw line, making both of their attempts . The Rockets actually shot better from three-point range in the game overall.
They also grabbed more rebounds. So how did Golden State win? They took care of the basketball better. The Warriors only turned the ball over 4 times in the first half compared to 8 for Houston . They also got key stops when they needed them most. The houston rockets vs golden state warriors match player stats show that efficiency in clutch moments matters more than overall shooting percentages.
What This Game Means for Both Teams
This game had real implications for both franchises. For Golden State, winning without Curry and Butler showed their depth and fight . They improved to 32-30 on the season . A win like this can build momentum for a playoff push. The young players gained confidence that will serve them well down the stretch. For Houston, the loss dropped them to 38-23 .
More importantly, it showed they still have work to do in close games. The Rockets fell to 1-6 in overtime games this season . That is a concerning trend. Learning how to win the tight ones separates good teams from great ones. When fans look back at the houston rockets vs golden state warriors match player stats months from now, they will remember this as a turning point moment for both teams in different ways.
Overtime Analysis: How Golden State Pulled Ahead
The overtime period was only five minutes long, but it felt like an entire game. Golden State outscored Houston 14-12 in the extra session . Brandin Podziemski scored 5 straight points during a key stretch . His three-pointer and driving layup gave the Warriors a 111-106 lead. Kevin Durant kept the Rockets close with a huge three-pointer. But then came the decisive moment. Durant was fouled on a three-point attempt with about 30 seconds left .
He made the first two free throws but missed the third. De’Anthony Melton grabbed the rebound and scored on a tip-in with 5.3 seconds remaining . That put Golden State up 115-112. Durant made one more free throw after another foul, but it was not enough. The houston rockets vs golden state warriors match player stats from overtime show Podziemski with 7 points and Melton with the game-winning tip-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Conclusion
The houston rockets vs golden state warriors match player stats from March 5, 2026 tell the story of an instant classic. This game had everything basketball fans love. Young stars shining bright. Veterans making big plays. A dramatic overtime finish. Lead changes that kept everyone guessing. The Warriors showed incredible heart playing without their biggest names. Podziemski and Melton stepped up when their team needed them most. The Rockets got a superstar performance from rookie Reed Sheppard but could not close the deal.
Games like this remind us why we watch sports. They are unpredictable. They are emotional. They are beautiful. Whether you root for Golden State or Houston, you have to appreciate the effort both teams put on the floor. These are the kinds of games that make regular season nights feel like playoff battles. What did you think of this game? Drop a comment below and let me know your favorite moment from this incredible overtime thriller. And do not forget to check back for more detailed breakdowns of every big NBA matchup this season.