Stephen Curry, Warriors Eradicated from NBA Cup, Ripped By Followers for Loss vs. Rockets

The Houston Rockets lastly beat the Golden State Warriors.

Houston ended Golden State’s 15-game winning streak in head-to-head matchups with a dramatic 91-90 victory on the Toyota Middle in Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinals showdown. The Rockets superior to Las Vegas and can face the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder within the semifinals.

It appeared just like the Warriors have been going to cruise to victory with a six-point lead within the remaining two minutes, however a surprising sequence that includes a Fred VanVleet three, Draymond Inexperienced turnover, Alperen Şengün basket, Gary Payton II turnover and Jalen Inexperienced free throws after a questionable foul name on a free ball gave the Rockets the win.

Brandin Podziemski had a take a look at the buzzer to win it, however Jabari Smith Jr. swatted it away.

Şengün completed with 26 factors, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and three steals to paved the way, however it was becoming {that a} defensive play from Smith completed the victory. In spite of everything, Houston’s protection set the tone all through the sport and compelled 15 turnovers whereas holding Stephen Curry to 19 factors in defeat.

Social media reacted to the surprising turnaround:

Golden State already gained the primary two matchups towards the Rockets earlier this season when Curry wasn’t even accessible, so it appeared like it could have the benefit going into Wednesday’s contest.

Nonetheless, the Houston protection had different concepts and held the guests to a mere 37 factors within the first half. Curry and Jonathan Kuminga discovered some house to function, however there wasn’t sufficient secondary scoring for a staff lacking Andrew Wiggins (ankle) and Moses Moody (knee).

Turnovers have been additionally an issue for the Warriors, which prevented them from settling into something resembling an early offensive rhythm. Nonetheless, they have been down simply seven on the half largely due to their very own protection.

Staying inside placing distance regardless of the early struggles was vital, as Golden State took the lead within the third quarter as Buddy Hield discovered his capturing stroke and supplied a few of that secondary scoring that was lacking in the beginning. One in all Hield’s outdoors photographs made him the 17th player in NBA historical past to hit 2,000 three-pointers in a profession.

It set the stage for a back-and-forth end with Şengün taking part in nicely for the Rockets on one aspect and the Warriors constructing momentum on the opposite.

Because the back-and-forth continued within the fourth, gamers like Lindy Waters III, Brandin Podziemski and Kuminga hit key triples to keep up that momentum. It additionally helped having Draymond Inexperienced make a handful of spectacular defensive performs to no less than hold Şengün in test.

After which the Warriors went chilly.

They did not rating a degree within the remaining three minutes of the sport, and their remaining discipline purpose got here on a Kuminga three with 3:38 remaining. That opened the door for Houston’s comeback, and VanVleet, Şengün, Inexperienced and Smith took full benefit and delivered at profitable time.