Warriors Edge Rockets in OT
Golden State Warriors edged out the Houston Rockets 115-113 in a nail-biting overtime thriller, with both teams trading big shots down the stretch. The Warriors' ability to secure the win in extra time keeps them in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. Denver also survived the Lakers 119-114 despite missing their top four forwards.
The Warriors' victory came without Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, who were both sidelined. Brandon Podziemski stepped up with 26 points, while De'Anthony Melton added 23 for Golden State. For the Rockets, rookie Reed Sheppard was a bright spot in the loss, scoring 30 points off the bench, including six three-pointers. A crucial moment in overtime came at the free-throw line, where Houston's Kevin Durant, who had a streak of 36 consecutive made free throws, missed a critical attempt that could have tied the game. Durant finished with 23 points but his late-game misses proved costly for the Rockets. Alperen Sengun contributed a double-double for Houston in the losing effort. The win was significant for the Warriors in a tight Western Conference playoff picture. As of March 5, 2026, Golden State held the eighth seed, while the Houston Rockets were positioned at number three. The victory helps the Warriors keep pace in the crowded standings. In the other matchup mentioned, the Denver Nuggets managed to secure a 120-113 win over the Los Angeles Lakers despite significant injuries. The Nuggets were without forwards Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Peyton Watson (hamstring), and Spencer Jones (shoulder), while Cameron Johnson was questionable with an ankle injury.
