Warriors' win streak comes to an end with 115-108 loss to Rockets

On Wednesday night, the Golden State Warriors' five-game road swing began with an unfortunate start. In the first quarter, Steph Curry suffered an abdominal injury and was unable to continue for the remainder of the game. As a result, the Rockets quickly capitalized, building a 15-point lead in the opening quarter. Steph Curry was taken to the locker room with an apparent right hip injury.

Despite Curry's absence and a sluggish start, Yaxel Lendeborg and the Warriors fought back. During the second quarter, Lendeborg contributed 13 points, helping to narrow the Rockets' lead from 15 points to just five by halftime. Lendeborg led all scorers with 18 points in the first half. As the third quarter unfolded, tension escalated between the two teams.

In the final moments of the third quarter, Rockets guard Marcus Smart was ejected from the game after throwing a punch at Golden State's Charles Bassey, receiving a flagrant 2 violation. With Houston clinging to an eight-point lead, the Rockets' coach, Ime Udoka, called a timeout. Following the timeout, the Rockets swiftly responded, scoring eight consecutive points, including two three-pointers from Reed Sheppard, eventually sealing the game with a 115-108 loss.

The Warriors' eight-game winning streak came to an end due to Curry's absence and the Rockets' timely comeback. Lendeborg finished the game with 25 points on 9-of-19 shooting, along with 10 rebounds and two steals in 36 minutes of play. Brandin Podziemski contributed 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field, along with six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

LJ Cryer provided valuable bench support, scoring 13 points with three 3-pointers in 18 minutes off the bench. The Warriors will have Thursday off before facing the defending Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs on Friday.