Steph Curry left the game after just a few minutes with “right side soreness” on Wednesday night, quickly ruled out of the contest following several hard falls. It was the biggest, most gut-wrenching headline from a tough 115-108 loss to the Houston Rockets, a defeat that snapped the Golden State Warriors’ impressive eight-game winning streak. The organization is holding its breath, hoping their icon won’t be sidelined for long.
Rockets Defense Was a Problem Even Before Curry’s Exit
Even before Curry went down, the Rockets’ ferocious defense was already giving the Dubs trouble. Houston brought an arguably unparalleled combination of strength, athleticism, length, and physicality across their entire rotation. That kind of defensive pressure is tough enough on its own, but things only got more challenging for Golden State when their franchise superstar couldn’t return. It’s a brutal way to start what’s already a difficult five-game road trip, especially when your biggest star is suddenly sidelined.
Lendeborg Steps Up, Podziemski Delivers in a Losing Effort
Despite the tough circumstances, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg continued to impress, even if it was arguably his worst shooting performance of the season. He missed two open threes badly and only went 5-for-8 from the free-throw line, but with the added defensive attention on him after Curry’s exit, Lendeborg dropped 18 points in the first half alone, with 14 of those coming in the second quarter. He finished with a double-double: 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals, all with just 2 turnovers in 36 minutes. Lendeborg led the charge as the Warriors clawed back from a 15-point deficit, even tying things up at 51 late in the second quarter before the Rockets closed the half on a 5-0 run. Brandin Podziemski was easily the Dubs’ second-best scorer on the night, putting up 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting from the field, including a clutch four-point play early in the fourth quarter. De’Anthony Melton caught fire for a couple threes in the third, and along with LJ Cryer, they combined for 24 points and a trio of threes. But it simply wasn’t enough; Golden State desperately needed another strong offensive showing in Steph’s absence that never came.
The Warriors showed fight, cutting the deficit to just three points in the final quarter. Earlier, just as Houston seemed to be pulling away in the third, especially while Lendeborg grabbed a brief rest, Rockets guard Marcus Smart inexplicably threw a punch at Warriors center Charles Bassey. Smart got ejected, which definitely slowed Houston’s momentum, keeping Golden State in it. But ultimately, the Rockets responded to that final Dubs push with an 8-0 run of their own. Golden State simply lacked the firepower to keep up with Houston, and the streak was over.
What’s Next: Holding Our Breath for Steph
This loss stings, but the real concern now is Steph Curry’s health. The entire organization, and every fan, is holding their breath, hoping this “right side soreness” doesn’t keep him out for long. The Warriors need their leader, especially on this tough road trip. We’ll be watching closely for any updates on Steph, while hoping the young guys like Lendeborg and Podziemski can continue to step up in his potential absence.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Golden State of Mind.
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