The Golden State Warriors are officially fighting for their playoff lives at the absolute bottom of the Western Conference play-in bracket.
Stephen Curry returned to the floor on Easter Sunday following a grueling nine-week absence. He scored 29 points off the bench. It was not enough. The Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to six games, escaping Chase Center with a devastating 117-116 victory over the struggling Warriors.
Alperen Sengun sealed the game for Houston. He drove to the basket and hit a go-ahead layup with just 11.1 seconds remaining on the clock. Golden State had one final chance to salvage the night. Curry put up a heavily contested three-pointer at the buzzer. It missed.
Curry operated on a strict minutes restriction. He played 26 minutes. He shot 11-for-21 from the field and 5-for-10 from beyond the arc. This was his first regular-season appearance off the bench in 14 years, a streak that dated all the way back to March 2012. He had missed the previous 27 games dealing with patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly known as runner’s knee.
The Rockets capitalized on Golden State’s desperation, according to a post-game recap of the night’s events. Kevin Durant fueled Houston’s offense in his highly anticipated return to San Francisco. He poured in a game-high 31 points, adding eight rebounds and eight assists. Sengun finished right behind him with 24 points.
How the 10th Seed Lock Alters Golden State’s Postseason Path
This heartbreaking loss carries massive consequences. The Warriors now sit at a 36-42 record. They are effectively locked into the 10th spot in the Western Conference standings. The margin for error is entirely gone in the chaotic world of professional basketball.
Golden State is now forced into a highly vulnerable position. They must win two consecutive sudden-death play-in games just to secure the final No. 8 playoff seed. Both of those games will likely be on the road. The momentum has completely shifted away from Chase Center, leaving a legendary dynasty fighting just to keep its season alive.