Kevin Durant delivered 31 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as the Houston Rockets edged the Golden State Warriors 117-116 on Sunday night at Chase Center in San Francisco.
The victory extended Houston’s winning streak to six games and improved the team to 49-29, strengthening its hold on fifth place in the Western Conference with only a handful of regular-season games remaining.
The decisive moment came in the closing seconds when Alperen Sengun converted a go-ahead layup with 11 seconds left after receiving a pass from Durant.
Golden State had one last chance, but Stephen Curry missed a long 3-pointer from straightaway in the final seconds, sealing the one-point win for Houston.
Durant controlled the offensive flow throughout the night against his former team. The veteran forward shot 10-for-17 from the field and hit 3-of-6 from beyond the arc while directing Houston’s offense late in the fourth quarter.
He also made a key three-pointer with 2:10 remaining to keep the Rockets within striking distance during a tense closing stretch.
Sengun added 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists while scoring the game-winning basket in traffic. Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 23 points and nine rebounds, hitting five three-pointers on seven attempts.
Amen Thompson added 18 points and seven assists, giving Houston four starters in double figures. The Rockets shot 55% from the field and 45% from three-point range while finishing with 30 assists.
Golden State nearly completed a late comeback behind Curry, who returned after missing 27 consecutive games with a right knee injury.
The Warriors star scored 29 points in just 26 minutes, shooting 11-for-21 from the field and 5-for-10 from three-point range.
The two-time MVP drove for a layup that cut the deficit to one with 1:27 remaining, then answered Sengun’s three-point play with a clutch three-pointer moments later.
Gary Payton II briefly put Golden State ahead with 20 seconds left when his shot attempt was ruled a goaltend against Thompson.
Durant responded immediately by creating the final play that set up Sengun’s layup.
Brandin Podziemski scored 18 points for Golden State while Gui Santos added 15. Payton finished with 14 points off the bench and Draymond Green recorded 12 assists.
Houston controlled much of the offensive efficiency battle, shooting 44-of-80 from the field compared to Golden State’s 42-of-84.
The Rockets also made 13 three-pointers and committed three fewer turnovers in a game decided by one possession.
The loss dropped Golden State to 36-42, leaving the Warriors in 10th place in the Western Conference as they continue fighting for a higher play-in spot.
Houston will visit the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, while Golden State returns home to host the Sacramento Kings.
