Frequently Asked Questions About Rockets vs Warriors

As of the end of the 2023-2024 season, the Golden State Warriors lead the all-time regular season series 138-129, giving them a 51.7% winning percentage. The teams have played 267 regular season games since their first meeting in 1971. The Warriors have dominated the recent era, going 56-40 since 2010, while the Rockets held advantages during the 1980s and 1990s when Hakeem Olajuwon anchored their franchise. The closest decade was the 1970s, which ended 19-19, representing perfect parity between the franchises during their early years.

The Golden State Warriors won the 2018 Western Conference Finals 4-3, advancing to their fourth consecutive NBA Finals. The series turned in Game 5 when Chris Paul suffered a hamstring injury with Houston leading the series 3-2. The Rockets had won that game 98-94 but lost Paul for the remainder of the series. In Game 7, Houston missed a record 27 consecutive three-point attempts during one stretch and lost 101-92. The Warriors went on to defeat Cleveland in the Finals for their third championship in four years. This series remains one of the most debated 'what if' scenarios in modern NBA history.

James Harden scored 51 points against the Warriors on January 4, 2018, in a 123-113 Rockets victory. He shot 14-of-26 from the field, including 6-of-15 from three-point range, and made 17-of-18 free throws. Harden also contributed 13 assists and 6 rebounds in that game, recording one of the most complete performances in rivalry history. His 49-point effort on December 1, 2016, ranks as his second-best output, coming in a 132-127 double-overtime victory. Across his career facing Golden State, Harden averaged 28.4 points per game in regular season matchups from 2012 to 2021, consistently challenging the Warriors' defense with his isolation scoring and playmaking ability.

The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors have met four times in the playoffs, all occurring between 2015 and 2019. The Warriors won all four series: 4-1 in the 2015 Western Conference Finals, 4-1 in the 2016 first round, 4-3 in the 2018 Western Conference Finals, and 4-2 in the 2019 second round. These series produced 24 total games, with the Warriors winning 16 and the Rockets winning 8. The combined scoring average across all playoff games was 109.8 points for Golden State and 104.3 points for Houston. These matchups occurred during the Warriors' dynasty era when they won three championships in five years, while Houston consistently finished as a top-four Western Conference seed.

Stephen Curry has made 37.8% of his three-point attempts against the Houston Rockets in regular season games throughout his career, slightly below his overall career average of 42.6%. However, his volume and timing have made him exceptionally effective in this matchup. Curry has attempted 682 three-pointers against Houston in regular season play, making 258 of them. His 53-point performance on February 20, 2016, included 10 three-pointers and showcased his ability to overwhelm Houston's defense with long-range shooting. In playoff games against the Rockets, his percentage improves to 39.2% on 204 attempts, demonstrating his ability to maintain efficiency under increased defensive pressure during high-stakes games.

Steve Kerr holds the best winning percentage among coaches with at least 15 games in this matchup, posting a 43-21 record (67.2%) combining regular season and playoffs from 2014 to present. His regular season record stands at 29-11, while his playoff record is 14-10 across four series. Kerr's offensive system and ability to manage star personalities enabled the Warriors to dominate this rivalry during their championship years. Rudy Tomjanovich ranks second among coaches with significant tenure, going 19-15 (55.9%) in regular season games from 1992 to 2003. Don Nelson posted a 23-19 record across multiple stints with the Warriors. For more coaching analysis, see our about page detailing the strategic evolution of both franchises.