NBA Missed Calls Warriors Rockets Stephen Curry Return

The NBA acknowledged two incorrect calls in the final minutes of the Golden State Warriors’ 117-116 loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday night, including a missed foul involving Stephen Curry during his return from a 27-game absence.

According to the league’s Last Two Minute Report, Houston guard Amen Thompson should have been called for a foul on Curry with 1:27 remaining after the Warriors star converted a layup.

“Thompson (HOU) jumps from A to B and initiates body contact with Curry (GSW) as he defends the shot,” the report stated.

The missed call came at a pivotal moment, with Golden State trailing by just one point as it attempted to complete a late comeback.

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Missed 3-Second Violation Leads to Key Rockets Score

The NBA also determined that Houston center Alperen Şengün should have been called for a defensive three-second violation with 1:10 remaining.

“Sengun (HOU) fails to fully clear the lane and is in the paint for longer than three seconds,” the report stated.

Instead of a turnover, the possession continued and resulted in a critical sequence for Houston. Şengün scored a layup and drew a foul from Draymond Green, converting the ensuing free throw to extend the Rockets’ lead.

The sequence proved decisive in a game that was ultimately decided by one point.

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Warriors Rally Falls Short Despite Stephen Curry’s 29-Point Return

Golden State mounted a late surge after trailing by as many as 14 points, using a 15-3 run to cut the deficit to two with 2:30 remaining.

Curry played a central role in the comeback, finishing with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting, including 5-of-10 from three-point range, in 26 minutes in his first game back since late January.

“I don’t think there’s a tougher defender in the league for him to have his first game against than Amen Thompson,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “That’s quite a test. Steph looked amazing.”

Golden State briefly took the lead in the final seconds when Gary Payton II converted a layup following a goaltending call, giving the Warriors their first advantage since the second quarter.

Houston responded on the next possession, with Kevin Durant finding Şengün for a go-ahead layup with 11 seconds remaining.

The Warriors elected not to call a timeout, and Curry’s contested 30-foot attempt at the buzzer missed long, sealing the Rockets’ victory.

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Stephen Curry’s Impact Evident in Warriors’ Loss

Despite the loss, Curry’s presence immediately shifted Golden State’s performance.

The Warriors outscored Houston by 12 points in the 26 minutes Curry was on the floor and were outscored by 13 points in the 22 minutes he sat.

The contrast underscored Curry’s importance to the team as it pushes toward the postseason.

Golden State, now 36-42, remains in position to secure the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference and a spot in the play-in tournament, where it would need two wins to advance into the playoffs.

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NBA Review Adds New Context to Warriors’ Narrow Loss

While the Last Two Minute Report does not change the outcome, the league’s findings provided additional context to a tightly contested finish.

Both missed calls occurred during a decisive stretch in the final two minutes, when each possession carried heightened importance in a one-point game.

For the Warriors, the loss marked a narrow setback in a game that also signaled the return of their franchise centerpiece — and highlighted how slim the margin for error can be in late-game situations.

With four games remaining in the regular season, Golden State will look to build on Curry’s return to have momentum entering the play-in tournament.

Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo