HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 11: Alperen Sengun #28 and Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets high five during the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 11, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Houston Rockets will always take a victory over the Golden State Warriors, even when the Dubs are shorthanded, and that’s exactly what happened on Wednesday night. Stephen Curry went down in the first quarter and did not return, setting the table for a Rockets victory. And while Houston did make it much closer than it needed to be, the Dubs didn’t quite have the firepower without Steph to hang with the Rockets down the stretch, and despite a couple close Q4 -pushes by Golden State, the Rockets walked away with a 115-108 victory to move to 9-3 on the season.
The Rockets were led by Kevin Durant with 20 points, as all five Houston starters finished in double in figures. KD also had 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Alperen Sengun was near-miss on a triple double, finishing with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists while shooting 8-for-14 from the field. Houston also got 19 from Amen Thompson, who finally had a decent offensive game, shooting 8-for-11. He also added 7 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and 2 blocks for the kind of all-around performance we’ve been missing from Amen. Houston also 18 points and 6 assists from Fed VanVleet and 14 points and 8 rebounds from Jabari Smith Jr. to round out the scoring from the starters.
Reed Sheppard pitched in 13 points off the bench on 3-for-6 shooting from deep, and that about ended the bench contributions, as Tari Eason shot just 2-for-11, while Marcus Smart was ejected in the third quarter for throwing a punch. Welcome to the Houston-Golden State rivalry, Marcus. It took all of one half of a game for Smart to want to smack a Dub around. Sheppard had a solid fourth quarter in taking over Smart’s minutes.
Houston shot 51 percent in this one, while holding the Warriors to just 41 percent. The Rockets were also hammering the ball inside, as they led in paint scoring 50-34. One of thew few reasons the game was close was the difference in three-point shooting, as Golden State put up 51 threes (making 17) to Houston’s 36 attempts (making 13). The Rockets have increased their three attempts so far this season, up to 34.2 per game from 31.5. Accuracy has also increased, up to 37.5 percent from 36.4 perccent. All of that is good. But the Rockets can still find themselves in closer than needed situations when they play teams with a big three-point attempt difference.
Nonetheless, every good NBA season requires a little luck, and I’m certainly not one to feel bad about a Warriors player getting injured against the Rockets, considering the history these two teams have. I’ll take the win, and we’ll see you again later.
Houston’s 9-3 record has moved them back up to third in the Western Conference. They will be back in action on Friday night, with a home game against another historic rival, the Utah Jazz.
TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 11: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics helps up Neemias Queta #88 in the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on November 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On the second night of a back-to-back and without Paul George (illness), the Celtics fell into a trap game with home just a puddle jump away after a four-game road trip. After the high of Tuesday night’s blowout of the 76ers and arriving in Toronto at 4 am, Boston found themselves behind the 8-ball early in the game facing a 22-point deficit midway through the second quarter.
A 7-0 Jayson Tatum run with a pull-up three, two free throws, and a thunderous dunk led to a Toronto timeout and then the unthinkable happened.
Tatum struck again with a killer triple with Collin Murray-Boyles slipping under JT’s feet for a flagrant foul. After hitting the free throw, Baylor Scheierman hit another catch-and-shoot 3 to complete the rare SEVEN-POINT possession.
For what it’s worth, the only other seven-point possession I can remember was in the 2022 NBA Finals when Al Horford fouled Steph Curry on a 3 and then Otto Porter hit another after Curry went to the free throw line.
Tatum taking over this game trying to get the Celtics back in this game
In the end, the Celtics completed their second largest comeback in Joe Mazzulla’s tenure as head coach. Down six with five minutes to go, Boston closed with a 13-4 run with some lockdown defense, gritty play on both sides of the ball from Neemias Queta, and Tatum getting to the line. However, it was that first half stretch that really made the difference in sweeping their road trip.
“His energy just lifted everybody,” Mazzulla said of Tatum’s presence during that crucial run. “It’s the same thing when you lose close games. We didn’t win the game in the fourth quarter. We won the game in the middle of the second quarter when we cut it to seven again.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 11: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets defends Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter of the game at Toyota Center on November 11, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well. That was certainly a night of basketball. A whole lot happened on Wednesday. The Golden State Warriors fell behind the Houston Rockets by 15 points at the end of the first quarter, then came roaring back to tie it. Steph Curry missed most of the game with an abdominal injury that required an MRI. Charles Bassey was punched by Marcus Smart. And the Warriors saw their eight-game winning streak come to a halt, losing 115-108 to a Rockets team that was significantly healthier.
So year. Busy Wednesday!
You can’t fault the Warriors for losing, given all of that. But grades still need to be handed out, so here they are. As is always the case, grades are based on my expectations for each player, with a “B” grade representing the average performance for that player.
Note: True-shooting percentage (TS) is a scoring efficiency metric that accounts for threes and free throws. Entering Wednesday’s games, league-average TS was 57.2%.
It’s a testament to Lendeborg that the Warriors lost Curry and still overcame a deficit to give themselves a chance to win. It’s a testament to Lendeborg that, even with Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet, and Alperen Şengün on the other side, he comfortably led both squads in scoring. It’s a testament that, in the on-court post-game interview, ESPN decided to ask Durant about Lendeborg specifically. And it’s a testament that Durant called him a “problem,” meant clearly as a compliment.
Just another 25 and 10 for Lendeborg, as those numbers are very near his season averages, and mark the third double-double of his young career.
Lendeborg was solid through and through, and then some. The biggest issue with his game was that, for the first time, his jumper didn’t look good. The threes he missed were really clanked, and he didn’t look all that comfortable at the free throw line, either. But as has been the case all year, his resolve, patience, and savvy were stunning. A misaligned jumper neither scared him from scoring, nor made him press. He just kept making the right play, and attacking.
It wasn’t a very good playmaking game for him, in part because Houston’s length and athleticism seemed to bother him a bit … not in a way that was at all concerning, but just in a “oh yeah, they don’t make them like that in the Big 10” way. On the flip side, his defense was pretty spectacular in this game, both on his opening assignment of Jabari Smith Jr., and also on the many possessions where he was matched up with Durant. Speaking of which, those two put on a show in the second quarter, with Lendeborg going toe to toe with one of the greatest scorers in league history.
He’s a whole lot of fun, isn’t he?
Grade: A- Post-game bonus: Led the team in points and rebounds.
As long as we’re talking about great defensive performances … Draymond Green, folks. What a defender. Green drew an opening assignment on Durant, someone he has historically guarded very well (relatively speaking … great offense beats great defense, and KD is great offense). Dray did a tremendous job on KD (who still dropped in 20 points, it’s worth noting), and it was just so much fun to watch one of this generation’s top scorers go at one of this generation’s top defenders. Don’t take it for granted!
And here’s your latest update on how in control Green has been to start the year: 75 assists, 29 turnovers, 32 shot attempts.
Incredible.
Grade: A- Post-game bonus: Led the team in assists; tied for the worst plus/minus on the team.
Not the best night for Big Al. He got his first start of the year so that Golden State could have some extra size against a huge Houston squad. He struggled a bit against Şengün, and really couldn’t get anything going of his own on offense. He didn’t have any bad plays, per se, but it wasn’t an impactful game on the glass or on defense for him which, when paired with a jump shot that wasn’t landing, made for a fairly poor game.
Like Lendeborg, Podziemski was a huge part of why the Warriors were able to crawl back into the game even with their superstar ruled out. He seemed to always have a big shot up his sleeve when the team needed it most … which is something we’ve really grown accustomed to with Podz.
As with all his teammates, Podziemski had a huge challenge with his opening assignment, as he was defensively matched up against Thompson. He performed admirably at times, though there’s only so much you can do when the player you’re tasked with stopping is significantly larger than you and arguably the best athlete in the entire league. Sometimes you just gotta tip your cap.
Still, a nice game from Podz.
Grade: B+ Post-game bonus: Tied for the worst plus/minus on the team.
Curry played fewer than six minutes, but those minutes were more physical than any other game he’s played this year. He had hard collisions with Rockets players on numerous occasions, and hit the deck hard on a few others. Nothing dirty, just strong, physical, high-quality defense of which he became collateral damage. He left halfway through the first quarter holding his side, and was ruled out for the rest of the game with abdominal soreness. We’ll hold our breath as we wait for the results of his MRI.
Santos’ stats look quite bad. He didn’t score, and he turned the ball over four times in a relatively short amount of time. He had some really nice possessions and plays though, especially on the defensive end. But the Rockets, like many athletic teams, just gave Santos too many fits, and a turnover every three minutes just won’t fly.
Melton is such a key contributor off of the bench, but really, games like this are where his true value is felt. Sure, running the second unit is important, but it’s absolutely critical that the Dubs have a strong veteran presence to step in when Curry is unavailable. As soon as Curry left the court, Melton’s role grew bigger, so much so that he was in the starting five for the second half.
And while no one can do a Steph impression, Melton certainly filled in admirable. He ran the offense better than the three assists would suggest, and made a trio of important threes to keep the Dubs in the game. His defense was once again strong, and he steadied a ship that was at risk of tipping.
In other words, he earned his paycheck with this game.
Let’s start with the most impressive thing: Bassey had a punch thrown at his face by Smart and walked away unbothered. His reflexes were, thankfully, fast enough that the violent punch ended up being a glancing blow rather than landing squarely, but even so, you would not only excuse, but expect a player to react angrily when another player throws a haymaker at their face. No one would be blaming Bassey if he went right back at Smart for that inexcusable move, but can you imagine the ramifications of if he did? A full-on fight could have broken out, which could have resulted in Bassey and possibly some teammates getting ejected, or even suspended. And with the amount of sidelined players the Dubs currently have, they simply could not have afforded that.
Bassey walked away like nothing happened, and he deserves so much praise for that. It’s not easy to turn the other cheek, especially in the heart of competition, but Bassey did exactly that.
He also played a damn good basketball game, which I suppose is also fairly important.
I do not think that Niang would have walked away from being punched by Smart, but you know what? It takes all kinds. The Warriors contain multitudes, and we love that about them.
Not the best game for Niang, who suffered a bit both from playing such an athletic team, and from not getting to share the court with Curry, as those two have really developed quite a rapport (and Niang greatly benefits from the spacing that Curry’s gravity creates). He had good rebounding and okay defense, but not much else.
Richard deserves a whole lot of credit for his toughness. He missed just one game due to UCL sprain in his thumb, when I assumed he’d miss a few weeks, and possibly a few months. Would Richard have taken the time off for surgery or a longer healing process if the Warriors were not so banged up? Who knows. Either way, it showed great toughness that he was out there on the court with his teammates.
And you certainly wouldn’t know he was hurting by his performance. His defense was excellent, and he was so aggressive on offense. He’s really started attending the Gary Payton II school of cutting, and his jump shot looks great this year as well. Strong game.
For the second game in a row, Cryer was called into emergency duty after a guard got injured. On Monday it was Brandon Williams; on Wednesday it was Curry. He was okay in that last-minute role change against the New Orleans Pelicans, but he was excellent against the Rockets. He came into the game in the first quarter and immediately made a difference on offense, with some aggressive dribbling and some slick shooting. His offense really is quite impressive, and while the two-way contract is buried on the depth chart, it’s clear that his coaches and teammates trust him, and that he has a lot to offer.
Grade: A Post-game bonus: Best plus/minus on the team.
Houston guard Marcus Smart (center) is held back after a confrontation with Golden State center Charles Bassey (left) during the Warriors’ 115-108 road loss to the Rockets on Nov. 11, 2026. AP Photo/Ashley Landis
Bassey and Smart got tangled up going for a rebound on a Warriors offensive possession late in the third quarter. They continued the spat down to the opposite end of the court, and Smart eventually turned and put his chest into Bassey. Then, he took a step back and threw a punch.
Bassey kept his arms by his side during the whole exchange.
He wasn’t impressed — or intimidated.
“I just think that, honestly, that was fake toughness,” Bassey said. “It didn’t surprise me. I knew he was going to do something. … I don’t think he was trying to play. I think he was trying to get himself out of the game. If he was trying to play, he wouldn’t do that. I think he was trying to chill. He wasn’t trying to hoop, bro. That was fake — fake toughness.”
“He wasn't trying to hoop… fake toughness.”
Charles Bassey speaks on the altercation with Marcus Smart
Charles Bassey defends Alperen Sengun during the Warriors’ loss to the Rockets on Nov. 11, 2026, in Houston. NBAE via Getty Images
According to Bassey’s account, he was just trying to grab an offensive rebound when Smart took hold of his hand. Even as the game shifted to the other end of the court, he wouldn’t let go.
Earlier, Bassey said, Smart grabbed his knee while setting a screen.
“He’s been playing dirty the whole game, man,” Bassey said.
Marcus Smart Just Threw A CRAZY PUNCH On Charles Bassey.
Golden State’s Charles Bassey arrives before the Warriors’ win over the Magic on Nov. 7, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco. NBAE via Getty Images
As they were going back and forth down the court, Bassey said, “He said, ‘Hey, don’t do that.’ And I said, ‘Do what?’ Like, it’s a grown-ass league, you know? But he was trying to chill tonight.”
MILWAUKEE — Collin Sexton received multiple stitches to close a deep cut over his right eye after the Lakers’ 123-112 win over the Bucks on Wednesday night.
Sexton and Ryan Rollins headbutted midway through the fourth quarter while the Lakers guard was defending the Bucks guard.
Play was stopped with 6:51 remaining after it was clear Sexton was bleeding.
A head collision between Collin Sexton (10) and Ryan Rollins (13) led to both players exiting the game in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 123-112 road win over the Bucks. Getty Images
It wasn’t known as of Wednesday night how many stitches the reserve guard needed.
His injury happened during the same game star guard Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić had early exits in the second half because of injury scares.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Collin Sexton received stitches after the win over the Bucks. AP Photo/Mike Stewart
Coach JJ Redick said Reaves’ X-rays were negative and that he would get imaging on Thursday. Redick ruled out an Achilles tendon injury for Reaves, who didn’t speak with reporters postgame.
Dončić had an injury scare with a few minutes left in the game when he clutched at his right ankle after Kyle Kuzma closed out against him as he made a 23-foot jumper.
Collin Sexton had 10 points and three assists in 13 minutes before his injury over his right eye. AP Photo/Aaron Gash
He sat on the floor holding his ankle before getting up and making a free throw. Dončić told reporters afterward that he was “good” despite the pain.
In what was supposed to be a measuring stick game against the Thunder, Luka Dončić suffered a strained hamstring that sidelined him the entire postseason and Austin Reaves sustained a strained oblique that kept him out the first four games of the playoffs.
Just like that, the Lakers were wiped off the board.
Their two leading scorers were taken out amid a 16-2 run. Their chances of winning a championship were gone. It was over for the purple and gold.
Dončić said “I’m good” following falling to the floor and clutching his right ankle after Kyle Kuzma closed out on him as he made a 23-foot jumper in the fourth quarter.
As for Reaves?
His status is more uncertain after he suffered a left heel injury in the third quarter, subbed himself out three minutes later and didn’t return. Lakers coach JJ Redick said his X-rays were negative and that he will get imaging on Thursday. He added that his Achilles’ tendon is not a concern.
Austin Reaves, who exited with a left heel injury, drives on Jericho Sims during the Lakers’ win over the Bucks on Nov. 11, 2026, in Milwaukee. Getty Images
Luckily, this doesn’t seem catastrophic for a Laker team that has the best record in the league at 11-2 and has won seven straight games. At least this time, both of their superstars weren’t wiped out in the same game.
But it was scary. It was a dose of deja vu. It was a reminder of how fragile all of this is.
The Lakers have been the greatest surprise of the league this season.
No one thought they’d be championship contenders. Not after LeBron James left. Not after they acquired nine new players. Not after there were questions around Walker Kessler after he missed all but five games last season because of shoulder surgery.
The assumptions were unanimous: The Lakers needed time to develop chemistry. And they were still a piece or two away from competing, given their thinness at backup center and the question marks around their perimeter defense.
But those concerns proved to be nothing but white noise.
Luka Dončić, who suffered a minor ankle injury, smiles during the Lakers’ win over the Bucks AP Photo/Aaron Gash
Dončić is having an MVP-caliber season, leading the league in scoring with 39.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game.
Reaves is putting on a MasterClass in efficiency with 25.3 points on 50.8% shooting from the field and 41.3% from beyond the arc.
Together, Dončić and Reaves are the league’s highest-scoring duo by a landslide, averaging 64.6 points — 12 points ahead of the No. 2 duo of Steph Curry and Yaxel Lendeborg, who are averaging 52 points.
Kessler is a double-double machine, averaging 14.9 points and 10.8 rebounds a game.
And the Lakers’ role players are starring in their roles.
Everything had come together.
Luka Dončić looks at his ankle during the second half of the Lakers’ win over the Bucks. AP Photo/Aaron Gash
That’s why it was so jolting when it seemed as though the same thread was yanked from the sweater on Wednesday, threatening to unravel everything.
Dončić and Reaves injured in the same game again? Just 223 days after the April 2 disaster?
It was hard not to fear that amid another stunning streak, they were decapitated again. It was hard not to worry that history was repeating itself.
But Dončić ‘s injury apparently isn’t serious.
“Obviously it’s painful a little bit, but I’ll be fine,” said Dončić , who had 32 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals in 32 minutes on Wednesday.
And the Lakers only can hope that after what happened to them a short while ago, they’ll catch a break with Reaves, too.
If anything, Wednesday was the ultimate reminder of how quickly things can change. It’s a lesson they learned a short while ago. It’s one that still haunts them.
TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 11: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics goes up for the rebound during the game/ against the Toronto Raptors on November 11, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
TORONTO — Mitchell Robinson couldn’t help himself.
The Celtics center chirped both Derrick White and Neemias Queta during their postgame scrums after the Celtics erased a 22-point deficit to win their fifth straight game, a 98-93 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
“You the fucking man!” he yelled to White after his 19-point, 4-block performance.
“Way to knock down those free throws,” he said to Queta after the Portuguese big man hit two free throws with 15 seconds to spare, giving the Celtics a three-point lead.
Mitchell Robinson yelled into both Derrick White and Neemias Queta’s postgame scrums
Robinson to White after his 19-point, 4-block game: “You the fucking man.”
After a week-long road trip, the Celtics’ plane heading back to Boston was delayed, but locker-room vibes remained exceptionally high.
Players are usually quick to head out after the last game of a long road trip, but the flight delay kept nearly everyone in their lockers, bantering for far longer than normal.
Wednesday’s win, after all, was a full-team effort worth celebrating. Ron Harper Jr. blasted Olivia Dean on the aux. Robinson requested the team play some country music. Payton Pritchard threw out song requests.
“He’s the guy,” Queta said, referring to Harper Jr.’s DJing.
In a way, it was only fitting that Harper, one of just a handful of players who never checked into the ball game, was directing the postgame jam sesh.
“Even the guys that weren’t playing just gave us a lift, energy-wise,” Joe Mazzulla said after the game.
Mike Conley, a perennial starter in the NBA, has totally embraced leading the bench mob pic.twitter.com/FRE7FLkFb2
The Celtics went 4-0 on the trip, beating the Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Raptors. After dropping their Opening Day game against the Detroit Pistons, they have won 9 of their last 10 games. They have the league’s best net rating. And they’re playing 11 guys every night, leaning on as much depth as they can.
Less than 24 hours after blowing out the 76ers, they found themselves on the other side of a blowout, in danger of ending the trip on a sour note.
“We talked about the four-game road trip, and we kind of talked about it before the game,” Jayson Tatum said. “Last night was a good win against a really good team, and last night wouldn’t mean anything — because it was easy to get up for a game like yesterday. Can we muster up some energy to will ourselves to a victory today?”
The quick turnaround meant an 8 pm game followed by a 7 pm tip, with a border crossing in between. And while Tuesday’s game against the 76ers may have had a playoff atmosphere, Wednesday’s was against a .500 team missing its two best players in Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard.
“Obviously anybody could get up for a game like yesterday,” White said. ”That’s what you dream about, stuff like that, especially the atmosphere and the energy around the building. But then you come on the road, and Toronto is a really good team. Obviously they’re missing a lot of players, but they’ve done a lot of great things in the league, so it’s kind of a little letdown. And so that’s where you’ve got to find that extra gear.”
Tatum noted that the team got to their Toronto hotel at 3 a.m.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tired today,” he said.
But, that made the outcome of Wednesday’s game all the more important.
“If you want to be great, these are games that you have to [win],” he said.
The Celtics survived an early Raptors onslaught
The Raptors shot 10-for-18 from three in the first quarter and led by as many as 22 in the second.
“Anytime they hit 10 threes in a quarter, it seems like it’s going to be a long night,” White said. “But honestly, we were just kind of a step behind.”
Mazzulla said the game turned in the second quarter, as the Celtics chipped away at the deficit to seven before halftime. The Celtics embarked on a 17-2 run, of which Jayson Tatum scored and assisted on 14 points.
“We didn’t win the game in the fourth quarter. We won the game in the middle of the second quarter when we cut it to seven,” Mazzulla said. “It’s a 22-point game. It could go either way. You can kind of mail it in and just say, ‘Second night of a back-to-back, blah, blah, blah.'”
Tatum finished with 24 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. White added 19 points, 7 assists, and 4 blocks.
And Queta, who led the game with 13 rebounds, went out of his way to shout out the small plays that don’t show up in a box score.
“A lot of guys are making energy plays that galvanize your teammates, and I think we kind of fed off each other,” Queta said. “I think that’s something we need to do more, and it will get us over the hump on those nights.”
Defense became the name of the game; Boston held Toronto to 19 points in the third quarter and 13 in the fourth.
“I thought all five guys were connected defensively,” Mazzulla said. “We were executing our coverages, forced the type of shots that we wanted them to shoot. Guys got rebounds. So I thought it was a connected defensive effort by our guys, particularly in the second half.”
Mazzulla also praised Queta for his all-around impact on the ballgame.
“Those two big free throws that he hit down the stretch, catching the ball in the seam, making plays,” Mazzulla said. “Defensively, he just lifts us to another level with the rim protection.”
The Celtics could have simply accepted they didn’t have it on Wednesday night.
Instead, they dug deep and finished a successful road trip on top.
“We had every excuse in the world, and people would be like, ‘Oh, it was a big game,’ whatever,” White said. “But it’s just the DNA. We put that Celtics uniform on and go out there and win. And so every person that came in there — we might not have had it at the beginning of the game, but we just found a way to find something and give everything we’ve got.”
Something was bound to bring an end to the Warriors’ winning streak at some point. It just so happened to be snapped at eight games in the worst possible way Wednesday night.
Stephen Curry left Golden State’s 115-108 loss to the Rockets in Houston with what the team is terming an abdominal injury.
About five minutes into the first quarter, he hoisted a 3-pointer, grabbed at his right side, let out a yell and was removed from the game, never to return.
Stephen Curry grimaces as he leaves the court during a timeout in the Warriors’ 115-108 loss to the Rockets on Nov. 11, 2026 in Houston. AP Photo/Ashley Landis
The Warriors didn’t have many details to share immediately after the loss.
Coach Steve Kerr said that Curry left the Toyota Center in the second half to get an MRI but was still anxiously awaiting the results.
“We haven’t heard anything,” Kerr said. “Concern is high. But I have no idea the extent of the injury.”
Curry went over to Kerr after the Warriors called timeout at the 6:25 mark and passed along a brief message before heading straight into the locker room. He had been moving gingerly before the shot and remained in the game for about a minute after until Kerr was able to sub him out.
“He just said he tweaked something in his abdominal area. Said he’s never done it before,” Kerr said. “I just saw him holding his side and tried to get him out as quickly as I could.”
Golden State head coach Steve Kerr reacts during the Warriors’ loss to the Rockets. Getty Images
Curry, 38, was limited to 43 games last season, the third-fewest of his career. He was forced to miss 27 in a row at one point with inflammation in his knee commonly known as runner’s knee.
Now, they’ve been thrown a new wrench with another injury.
Stephen Curry leaves the court during the Warriors’ loss to the Rockets. AP Photo/Ashley Landis
Losing Curry for any amount of time amounts to basically the Warriors’ worst nightmare, but it stings even more given how he has started his 18th season. Despite averaging only 28.6 minutes per game, Curry is scoring 30.6 per contest, second only to Luka Doncic.
Curry’s MVP-level play is one reason Golden State was able to become the first team in NBA history to reel off eight wins in a row after starting a season 0-3. Along with the emergence of rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, it appeared the Warriors could more than tread water before Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody return from their respective knee surgeries in the new year.
Stephen Curry looks on during the first quarter of the Warriors’ loss to the Rockets. Getty Images
It will be hard to keep their heads above water if Curry is forced to miss any extended time.
Brandon Williams, Golden State’s backup point guard, missed the game in Houston after tweaking his hamstring against the Magic two nights earlier. Will Richard, a second-year shooting guard, is attempting to play through a torn ligament in his thumb.
Stephen Curry, the greatest shooter of all-time, walked off the floor Wednesday, Nov. 11 during a game against the Houston Rockets, clearly grimacing. Curry, who appeared to be favoring his right side, then walked to the locker room, with a trainer following. The Golden State Warriors announced minutes into the second quarter that Curry would not return for the rest of the game with right abdominal soreness.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after the game that Curry said he "tweaked something in his abdominal area," which Curry told his longtime coach he had never done before. Kerr said Curry left the arena to get an MRI.
"Concern is high but I have no idea the extent of the injury," Kerr said.
So, what happens now?
This is stating the obvious, but it will depend on the severity.
While Curry was in clear discomfort when he left the floor, he did try to tough it out for a few possessions. That alone is not enough of an indicator to provide a tangible assessment, but it could hint to the degree of severity.
Either way, abdominal or oblique injuries can be complicated. Because they are part of the core muscles, many basic athletic movements can become painful.
They can also take time to heal, especially if there’s a muscle tear. Magic forward Paolo Banchero, for example, missed 34 games during the 2024-25 season with a torn oblique. If it ends up being a strain, however, any Curry absence would undoubtedly be far shorter.
Regardless, if Curry is forced to miss time, the Warriors will face the impossible problem of making up for the loss of a player who’s irreplaceable.
Curry is playing at an MVP-caliber level, and Golden State simply does not have any options who come close. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has been sensational in his first month in the NBA, and surely he will be forced to take on more offensive responsibility. Same goes for starting guard Brandin Podziemski, though to a lesser extent.
What the Warriors won’t be able to replace is Curry’s perimeter shooting and the way that opens up space on the floor. Curry is the best off-ball player in the NBA and tirelessly bounds around the floor, looking for small gaps. Those alone are enough for him to get shots off.
And, considering he entered the night making field goals at 50.3% and 3-pointers at 45.7%, that efficiency will be sorely missed.
The Warriors haven’t issued an update on Jimmy Butler’s status, but if Curry is forced to miss extended time, that could potentially put some pressure on Butler to lead the team as soon as he returns, should the timing coincide.
Either way, if Curry misses extended time, it’s tough to see Golden State remaining as competitive as it has been to start the season.
HOUSTON — Kevin Durant scored 20 points, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson added 19 and the Houston Rockets snapped Golden State’s eight-game winning streak with a 115-108 victory on Wednesday night.
The Warriors played most of the game without Stephen Curry after the superstar left in the first quarter with right abdominal soreness and didn’t return.
Golden State’s longest winning streak since 2022 ended on a night they were held well below their season average of 120.4 points a game. Curry, who entered Wednesday ranked second in the NBA by averaging 30.6 points a game, had just three points before exiting.
With Curry out, the Warriors were led by rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who had 25 points and 10 rebounds. Brandin Podziemski added 22 points.
The Rockets led by nine points early in the fourth quarter before the Warriors got 3-pointers from Georges Niang and De’Anthony Melton to cut the lead to 88-85 with about 10 minutes remaining.
But Houston scored the next eight points, with an alley-oop dunk by Thompson before consecutive 3-pointers from Reed Sheppard to make it 96-85 with under nine minutes to go.
The Warriors used a 6-0 run, with a four-point play by Podziemski, to get within 5. But, back-to-back 3s from Sheppard and Fred VanVleet left Houston up 102-91 midway through the quarter.
Houston’s Marcus Smart was ejected late in the third quarter for punching Golden State’s Charles Bassey. It was unclear what started the altercation between the two, but Smart threw a punch that appeared to lightly strike Bassey’s nose.
Smart was immediately pushed away by two other Warriors and an official grabbed Bassey around the waist and pulled him away. Smart didn’t wait for the officials to eject him, heading straight to the locker room after he was pulled away. The play was reviewed and he was issued a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected before play resumed.
Up next
Warriors: Visit San Antonio on Friday night as they continue a five-game road trip.
DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 9: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks dunks during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Center on November 9, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Former Duke star Cooper Flagg is now in his second NBA season, and so far, he’s just crushing it. He’s still 19 – he won’t turn 20 until next month – and he’s not playing like a normal young player.
He’s moving closer to an elite level. Flagg is averaging 25.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 2.2 steals, and just under a block per game.
Last year, you’ll remember, he hit 51 points on April 3 against fellow former Dukie Paolo Banchero.
As a rookie, like most rookies, it took him some time to settle into the pace of the game. He appears to have done so now, and the question is: what’s his ceiling?
He still needs to improve his three-point shooting, but you can’t just foul him: he’s hitting 90.3 percent from the line.
More importantly, as this video discusses, he’s learning to use his team as an instrument on offense. Lots of guys can score tons of points, but relatively few learn to see their team that way.
He wasn’t a basketball player, but Wayne Gretzky did that in hockey. He could see where the puck needed to be and got it a pass or two away from being there.
Flagg is doing something similar for Dallas, but he’s also playing brilliantly on defense. He’s a superb weapon on both ends of the court.
Add it all up, and the Mavericks have an immensely promising player on their hands, and he’s still a good ways from his full potential.
HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 11: Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors plays defense on Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets on November 11, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors eight-game winning streak came to an end on Wednesday night, falling 115-108 to the Houston Rockets. While the Dubs will be disappointed to start a difficult five-game roadtrip with a loss, the biggest headline coming out of the contest is the status of Steph Curry. Curry left the game after just a few minutes and several hard falls with “right side soreness” and was quickly ruled out for the game. The organization will hold its breath hoping that Steph will not be unavailable for long.
The Rockets ferocious defense, combining an arguably unparalleled combination of strength, athleticism, length, and physicality throughout their rotation, was already causing Golden State trouble before Curry left the game. Things got even more challenging for the Dubs without the franchise’s icon.
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg continued to impress despite arguably his worst shooting performance of the season (missing two open threes badly and going 5-for-8 from the free-throw line). Even with the added defensive attention coming his way with Curry sidelined, Lendeborg scored 18 points (14 in the second quarter) in the first half. Lendeborg finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals with just 2 turnovers in 36 minutes.
Lendeborg led the charge as the Warriors chipped away at a 15-point deficit, tying things up at 51 late in teh second quarter before the Rockets closed the half on a 5-0 run.
De’Anthony Melton caught fire for a couple threes in the third quarter to help keep the Dubs within striking distance. Brandin Podziemski was easily the Dubs second-best scorer of the night, scoring 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting from the field, including a four-point play early in the fourth quarter. De’Anthony Melton and LJ Cryer both made a trio of threes and finished with 24 combined points, but Golden State needed another strong offensive performance in Steph’s absence that ultimately never came.
As Houston seemed to finally be pulling away in the third quarter, particularly while Lendeborg got a brief break on the bench, Rockets guard Marcus Smart inexplicably through a punch at Warriors center Charles Bassey, getting ejected from the game and slowing his team’s momentum. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Warriors were not out of the game yet.
The Warriors were able to once again cut the deficit down to three in the final quarter, but the Rockets once again responded with an 8-0 run. Golden State simply lacked the firepower to keep up with Houston. As head coach Steve Kerr asked for more prolonged minutes from his remaining healthy players, they seemed to run out of gas. Another Rockets run put them ahead by 18 points with three minutes to go and Kerr pulled the plug.
Every member of the Rockets starting lineup scored at least 14 points and Reed Sheppard added 13 off the bench. Kevin Durant led the Rockets in scoring with 20. Alperen Şengün recorded 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists. Fred Van Vleet had 18 points, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 rebounds on 6-for-9 shooting from the field (4-for-7 from three) and finished with a game-best +25 plus/minus.
The Warriors will have one day off before they face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. Given how quickly Curry was ruled out tonight, it seems unlikely he will play. Nevertheless, the Warriors will presumably have a sense of how long he’ll be out in the coming days.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 11: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs steals the ball from Jalen Smith #25 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center on November 11, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Spurs’ win streak has reached 10 games. Despite looking lackadaisical and digging a hole for themselves early in their visit to Chicago, they managed to mount a second-half comeback to beat the Bulls 124-119.
It’s hard to predict when a trap game is coming, but when the Bulls, losers of seven straight heading into the matchup, made the Spurs, winners of nine in a row, look helpless in the first half, it seemed like Wednesday’s bout was going to be one of them. The NBA has a way of humbling even the teams that are steamrolling opponents because on any given night, the tables can turn. Early on, the play of De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama was enough to keep up with a shockingly hot Chicago team that simply couldn’t miss, but as the minutes passed, and especially when the bench checked in, San Antonio found itself looking at a mounting deficit and not a lot of answers on how to reduce it.
There were a lot of reasons for the struggles in a first half in which the Silver and Black gave up 70 points. The Bulls’ five-out look, with Jalen Smith at center, prevented Wemby from being the defensive presence he normally is at the rim. Some questionable lineups from Mitch Johnson predictably struggled on both ends, with the ones featuring Luke Kornet really floundering, as the big man couldn’t make an impact in any area. Fox and Wembanyama did well, but the offense as a whole featured either a lot of hesitation or guys forcing the issue and trying to score one-on-one instead of making a terrible Chicago defense move. It was the perfect storm of poor play from the Spurs and surprisingly good minutes from their opponent.
Trap games will happen, and they normally don’t mean much, so when the Silver and Black were down 22 in the second quarter, it was reasonable to assume their streak might end sooner than it should have, and that was fine. As they trimmed the Bulls’ lead to 14 heading into the break, a comeback appeared possible, but it seemed like it would require adjustments in strategy and attitude that, after such an underwhelming start, didn’t look all that likely. Then, as the second half started, the Spurs decided that, actually, they wanted their 10th win in a row, and that was that.
The ball started moving, and there was no hesitation going to the basket. Harper came alive, both dishing out assists and scoring, while Wemby continued to dominate, roaming more on defense and consistently making the right play on offense. Even the bench, which had been dreadful earlier, held its own thanks to an active Kornet and good minutes from the three forwards.
The Spurs looked like the juggernaut they are in the third, as they tend to do when they don’t make unforced errors and play with energy, instead of the timid team that opened the game. It helped that the Bulls came back to earth after a scorching first half from beyond the arc, but the opponent rarely matters when San Antonio starts operating near its highest level. Heading into the final frame, the visitors led by one.
The Spurs only got the lead to 15 at a point in the fourth quarter, which is hardly large enough in the modern NBA to be confident about it being secure, but while the box score didn’t accurately reflect how in control San Antonio was, it was obvious to those watching. After showing the low floor that has Mitch Johnson worried in the first half, the Silver and Black had their sky-high ceiling in full display in the second. Consistency is still not the team’s strong suit, but as long as they keep winning, no one should really be too worried about the ups and downs of November games.
Game notes:
Wembanyama has been Tim Duncan-esque in the way he doesn’t need to have loud games to have great ones. There were spectacular moments involving him, as they always are, but without looking otherworldly, he easily logged 32 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks. It’s too early in his career to start taking his greatness for granted, but he has been making the game look so easy lately that it might start happening if we are not careful.
De’Aaron Fox played the perfect Robin to Wemby’s Batman in the first half as a scorer, dropping 17 points. Dylan Harper took over the role in the second half, scoring 11 points of his total 18. Harper finished with 10 assists while Fox had nine. On a night in which Stephon Castle struggled, the other starting guards stepped up.
With Devin Vassell still out, Julian Champagnie got another start and had a decent game, finishing with 12 points, two assists, and two steals on 35 minutes of play. Curiously, he didn’t log a rebound. It’s the second time it has happened this season. Last season, it didn’t happen a single time in 82 games. Rebounding is one of Champagnie’s strengths, but the different roles and lineups might be affecting his ability to secure boards.
Like most of the team, the bench was bad in the first half, but had a much better showing in the second half, with 21 of the 30 points scored by the non-garbage time subs coming in the last two quarters. Keldon Johnson, who is looking like a much better passer, also had four assists. Everyone did their job, which helped the Spurs tremendously.
Next game: vs. Warriors on Friday
The Warriors have been better than expected this season, but Stephen Curry had to leave the game on Wednesday against the Rockets with an injury, so they could be missing their engine in their visit to San Antonio.
Houston Rockets guard Marcus Smart was ejected after he threw a punch and just barely grazed the face of Golden State Warriors forward Charles Bassey.
The incident came with 21 seconds left to play in the third quarter of a game Wednesday, Nov. 11, during a stoppage.
Just before the punch was thrown, Smart and Bassey got tangled up under the rim when trying to box out during a Warriors possession. The two continued to jaw at each other up the floor. Then, when play halted, Smart squared up and threw a right-handed hook that nearly landed on Bassey’s cheek. Bassey had moved his head backward to avoid contact. Officials later said that Smart made contact to Bassey’s nose.
Marcus Smart was assessed a flagrant 2 and ejected after throwing a punch at Charles Bassey. pic.twitter.com/50qOhVowK3
One official immediately grabbed Bassey and separated him, while players from both teams swarmed around Smart to deescalate. Several Warriors players on the floor also took exception to the punch and were shouting at Smart, who then walked off the floor and headed straight into the locker room, surely aware that he would be tossed for the gesture.
Officials then reviewed the sequence and determined that Smart would draw a flagrant foul 2, which draws an automatic ejection.
Smart scored 6 points on 2-of-2 shooting and added 2 rebounds and 1 assist prior to his removal. Bassey was not disciplined whatsoever for his role in the matter.
"Marcus, I just talked to him, he said they got wrapped up and his elbow that he had hurt got bent up. And so he said something to him and Bassey said 'What you going to do?' and he did it," Udoka said.
Bassey shared his view of the altercation postgame as well. He called Smart's play throughout the game "dirty" and said the altercation was Smart showing "fake toughness."
Charles Bassey on Marcus Smart throwing a punch at him: “Fake toughness.”
“I don’t think he was trying to play. I think he was trying to get himself out of the game.” pic.twitter.com/ZxbgvUDeY9
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 11: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Orlando Magic on November 11, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Alex Goodlett/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Utah Jazz lost to the Orlando Magic, with a final score of 123-108 in a game that where the Jazz showed signs of life, until the latter half of the fourth quarter.
Once again, Darryn Peterson played well. He finished the night with 20 points, four rebounds, five assists, on 7-19 from the field and 2-9 from deep.
Notably, Peterson is reading the floor better already. He’s reading the drop big on free-throw line extended screens better; tonight he fainted a screen rejection, then stepped into open space after the defense bit on the fake. He’s adjusting his driving angles by attacking the rim perpendicularly; tonight he created space against the shot-blocker by creating contact against the blocker’s chest and leveraging rim as a shield. And on defense, his hands are as active as ever, ending the night with a block and a steal.
We must sing Ace Bailey’s praises as well. More than anyone else on the roster, Bailey has adjusted his playing still to fit the needs of the team. He attacks the glass and defends the perimeter relentlessly. And as evidenced by his 4 blocks tonight, he’s developed as a phenomenal secondary rim-protector. It’s not secret that his shot has struggled, but he managed to finish the night with 18 points, along with seven rebounds and two assists.
For Orlando, Franz Wager matched a career-night with 38 points, with eight rebounds and an assist. While injuries have hampered the Magic as well, the trio of Wager, Desmond Bane, and Anthony Black accounted for 85 of Orlando’s 123 points, proving insurmountable for Utah.
The winless streak extends to 10. With this loss, the Jazz’s chances of partaking in post-season play are infinitesimally small. Thanks to our friend Dan Clayton at Salt City Hoops, we can see that only one team in the last 20 yearshave made postseason after starting 1-10 (let alone, 1-11):
Teams this century to start 1-10 and make the playoffs
'21-22 NOP. Zion misses the year. They start 1-5 w/ BI leading the way, then he gets hurt and they fall to 1-12. BI comes back, then they get McCollum at deadline, finish 18-14 to grab 9th spot, then win both play-in games.
Who knows? Darryn Peterson proving that he’s the budding star we thought he was seems like a great starting point for beating the odds. Utah take a one-stop road-trip to Houston to take on the Rockets on Friday.
