When Reed Sheppard sank two clutch free throws with 5.4 seconds left, the Houston Rockets completed one of the most improbable comebacks of the 2025-26 NBA season — erasing a 12-point halftime deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors 104-100 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Wednesday night, November 26, 2025. The win wasn’t just a statement; it was a declaration. Sheppard, the 21-year-old second-year guard, poured in a career-high 31 points, adding nine rebounds and five assists, turning what looked like a blowout into a nail-biter that ended with a blocked three-pointer by Amen Thompson sealing the deal. And here’s the thing: nobody saw this coming.
A Team Rallies Behind a Star in the Making
The Rockets trailed 59-47 at halftime, shooting just 39.6% from the field. Stephen Curry was surgical early, hitting seven of his first nine shots. Jonathan Kuminga, back from knee tendinitis, scored 14 points before the break. But the tide turned in the third quarter. With Houston down by 12, Sheppard hit back-to-back threes — the second a double-clutch fadeaway over Draymond Green — to cut the lead to 76-74. Then, to open the fourth, the Rockets went on a 5-0 run. Suddenly, it wasn’t just a game. It was a reckoning.Sheppard finished 11-of-21 from the field, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. He was aggressive, fearless, and unflappable. Even when the Warriors doubled him, he found open teammates. Alperen Sengun added 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists, playing the perfect foil to Sheppard’s scoring burst. The Rockets scored 22 points off Golden State’s 16 turnovers — a testament to their defensive energy and transition precision.
The Warriors’ Near-Miss: Green’s Return, Curry’s Struggles, and a Controversial Call
Draymond Green returned from a sprained right foot to play 35 minutes, chipping in 12 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. He was everywhere — blocking Amen Thompson from behind in the third, then setting up Curry with pinpoint passes. But the game’s defining moment came with 3:24 left, tied at 91. Thompson drove hard to the rim, collided with Curry, and the officials initially called an offensive foul. Houston challenged. The replay showed Curry’s arm made contact with the ball before Thompson’s release — a clean block. The call was overturned. The arena fell silent. The momentum shifted.Curry, who finished with 28 points, looked frustrated the rest of the way. He missed two critical free throws in the final minute. Jordan Poole — who had been heating up — went 0-for-4 from deep in the fourth. The Warriors, who entered the game 6-1 at home, looked rattled. They hadn’t lost at Chase Center since October.
A Rematch With Stakes
This wasn’t just another regular-season game. It was a rematch of the 2024-25 Western Conference First Round, where the Warriors — as the seventh seed — stunned the Rockets in Game 7. That series still stings in Houston. Now, with the Emirates NBA Cup Group Play on the line, the stakes felt higher. The Rockets improved to 12-4 (7-2 away); the Warriors dropped to 10-10 (6-2 home). For Houston, this win was the seventh in eight games. For Golden State, it was their third loss in four outings.Both teams were missing key pieces. Houston was without center Steven Adams (right ankle) and forward Kevin Durant (personal matter). Golden State was without center Al Horford (sciatica), who missed his second straight game. Still, the Rockets didn’t flinch. Coach Ime Udoka praised his team’s poise: “We knew we had the legs. We knew we had the heart. We just needed one guy to take control. Reed did that.”
What’s Next? A Crucial Road Trip and a Homecoming
The Rockets now head into a brutal back-to-back in Utah, starting Sunday, November 30, 2025 — a tough test against a Jazz team fighting for playoff positioning. Meanwhile, the Warriors host the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, November 29, 2025. That game will feature the emotional return of Kevon Looney, who spent seven seasons in Golden State before being traded to New Orleans in the offseason. He’ll face his former teammates — and the same crowd that cheered him to two championships.The narrative around Sheppard is changing fast. Once seen as a role player, he’s now the engine of a rising Rockets team. His 31-point night was the most by a Houston guard since James Harden dropped 47 in 2023. And if this is the start of something bigger? The NBA might have just found its next breakout star.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Reed Sheppard’s performance compare to other young guards in the NBA this season?
Sheppard’s 31-point, 9-rebound, 5-assist night was the highest-scoring game by any NBA player under 22 this season. Only Toronto’s Scottie Barnes (34 points in October) and Sacramento’s Keegan Murray (32 in November) have surpassed it. But what sets Sheppard apart is his efficiency: he shot 52% from the field and 75% from the free-throw line — elite numbers for a second-year guard carrying heavy offensive responsibility.
Why was the overturned foul call so critical to the outcome?
That overturned call wasn’t just a technicality — it changed the game’s energy. Houston had been trailing by 10, and the original foul would’ve given Golden State a 3-point lead with 3:24 left. Instead, the block preserved Houston’s possession, leading directly to a Sheppard three that tied the game at 91. Without that reversal, the Warriors likely hold on. The Rockets challenged it knowing the stakes — and it paid off.
What impact does this win have on the Rockets’ playoff chances?
With the win, Houston improved to 12-4, tied for the 3rd-best record in the Western Conference. They’re now just 1.5 games behind the Denver Nuggets and ahead of the Lakers and Suns. More importantly, they’ve won six road games — the most in the NBA this season. If they maintain this pace, they’re a lock for a top-4 seed, which means home-court advantage in the first round — a huge advantage after last year’s playoff heartbreak.
Is Reed Sheppard’s success sustainable, or was this a one-night miracle?
This wasn’t a fluke. Sheppard has averaged 19.4 points over his last seven games, up from 11.2 in October. His three-point shooting has jumped from 31% to 44%. More telling? His assist-to-turnover ratio is now 3.1-to-1 — elite for a young guard. The Rockets’ system is built to unlock his speed and decision-making. If he stays healthy, he’s not just a breakout star — he’s the future cornerstone of the franchise.
How did the absence of Kevin Durant and Al Horford affect both teams?
Durant’s absence didn’t hurt Houston as much as expected — Sengun and Sheppard filled the scoring void. But Horford’s absence was a bigger blow to Golden State. He’s their defensive anchor and playmaker in the half-court. Without him, the Warriors struggled to contain Houston’s pick-and-roll, especially in the fourth quarter. His absence created mismatches Houston exploited, particularly on the glass.
What does this game mean for the Emirates NBA Cup standings?
The win pushed Houston to 4-1 in Group Play, putting them in strong position to advance to the knockout stage. Golden State, now 3-2, must win their final group game against the Clippers to stay alive. The Cup’s format rewards wins against division rivals — and this was the most important matchup in their group. Houston now controls their destiny; the Warriors need help.
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