Frequently Asked Questions About Warriors vs Rockets

Through the end of the 2023-24 season, the Golden State Warriors lead the all-time regular season series against the Houston Rockets 137-117. This includes games dating back to when the Warriors played in Philadelphia and the franchise that became the Rockets was in San Diego. In the modern era from 2014-15 through 2023-24, the Warriors hold a 27-20 advantage in regular season matchups. The Warriors have been particularly dominant in recent years, winning 15 of 18 games from 2020-21 through 2023-24 as Houston underwent a complete roster rebuild following the James Harden trade.

The Warriors and Rockets have met five times in the playoffs, with Golden State winning all five series. They first met in the 1975 Western Conference Finals (Warriors won 4-1), then didn't face each other again until 2015. From 2015-2019, they met four times: the 2015 Western Conference Finals (Warriors 4-1), the 2016 first round (Warriors 4-1), the 2018 Western Conference Finals (Warriors 4-3), and the 2019 second round (Warriors 4-2). The 2018 series was the most competitive, going seven games and featuring the infamous Game 7 where Houston missed 27 consecutive three-point attempts. Golden State's 5-0 playoff series record against Houston represents one of the most dominant head-to-head postseason rivalries in modern NBA history.

Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals on May 28, 2018, featured one of the most statistically improbable sequences in NBA history. The Houston Rockets missed 27 consecutive three-point attempts during a crucial stretch, allowing the Warriors to pull away for a 101-92 victory. The Rockets had taken a 3-2 series lead and were playing Game 7 at home, but Chris Paul's hamstring injury in Game 5 forced him to miss the final two games. Houston finished 7-for-44 from three-point range (15.9%), while Golden State shot 15-for-36 (41.7%). The Rockets led 54-43 midway through the third quarter before the shooting drought began. This loss effectively ended Houston's best championship opportunity, as the team never again reached the Conference Finals.

In head-to-head regular season matchups from 2014-15 through 2023-24, James Harden averaged slightly higher scoring numbers but Stephen Curry demonstrated superior efficiency. Harden averaged 28.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game against the Warriors, while Curry posted 26.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. However, Curry's shooting percentages were notably better: 46.2% from the field and 41.8% from three-point range compared to Harden's 42.1% and 34.6% respectively. In playoff matchups, the gap widened in Curry's favor, as his teams won all four series. Curry also has four championships to Harden's zero, though team success involves many factors beyond individual performance. The efficiency differential suggests Curry performed better in these specific matchups despite Harden's higher raw scoring averages.

The rivalry's intensity diminished after 2019 due to roster changes on both teams that eliminated competitive balance. Kevin Durant left the Warriors for Brooklyn in free agency, while Klay Thompson suffered an ACL tear that kept him out for the entire 2019-20 season. Houston traded Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook in summer 2019, which didn't produce the desired results. The Rockets then dealt Westbrook to Washington in December 2020 and traded James Harden to Brooklyn in January 2021, beginning a full rebuild. From 2020-21 through 2023-24, the Warriors won 15 of 18 regular season meetings, with Houston posting three consecutive seasons of 22 wins or fewer. The competitive balance that defined the 2014-2019 period disappeared as Golden State remained a playoff team while Houston focused on developing young prospects like Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün.

The highest-scoring game in the modern Warriors-Rockets rivalry occurred on January 20, 2018, when the Rockets defeated the Warriors 116-108 at Oracle Arena. The combined 224 points represented the peak of both teams' offensive capabilities, as they ranked first (Rockets, 112.4 PPG) and second (Warriors, 111.7 PPG) in the league in scoring that season. James Harden scored 35 points with 13 assists, while Chris Paul added 33 points. Stephen Curry led Golden State with 35 points and 8 assists. The game featured 84 three-point attempts combined, with Houston making 16-of-44 and the Warriors converting 14-of-40. This offensive showcase demonstrated why both teams were considered championship favorites, though Golden State would ultimately prevail in their playoff meeting four months later.