The NBA’s Last Two Minute Report confirmed two significant missed calls in the final minutes of the Golden State Warriors’ heartbreaking 117-116 loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday night at Chase Center.
The report highlighted a missed foul on Stephen Curry and a defensive three-second violation on Alperen Şengün, both occurring during a critical stretch that ultimately decided the one-point game.
Missed Foul on Curry
With 1:27 remaining and the Warriors trailing by one point, Houston guard Amen Thompson should have been called for a foul on Curry 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 in Golden State’s late comeback attempt. Curry had just returned from a 27-game absence due to a knee injury and was playing on a minutes restriction, finishing with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting, including 5-of-10 from three, in 26 minutes.
Missed Three-Second Violation Leads to Go-Ahead Score
The league also determined that Rockets center Alperen Şengün should have been called for a defensive three-second violation with 1:10 left.
“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. Şengün scored a layup and drew a foul from Draymond Green, converting the free throw to extend Houston’s lead. The sequence proved decisive in a game that was ultimately decided by a single point.
Curry’s Impact Evident Despite the Loss
Despite the narrow defeat, Curry’s return was a bright spot. The Warriors outscored the Rockets by 12 points in the 26 minutes he was on the floor and were outscored by 13 points in the 22 minutes he sat. His presence immediately shifted the team’s performance and gave Golden State hope in a tightly contested Western Conference.
Head coach Steve Kerr praised Curry’s effort after the game.
“I don’t think there’s a tougher defender in the league for him to have his first game against than Amen Thompson,” Kerr said. “That’s quite a test. Steph looked amazing.”
Final Word
The missed calls added another layer of frustration to a game the Warriors nearly stole late. While the Last Two Minute Report does not change the outcome, it provided important context to a finish where every possession carried enormous weight.
With four regular-season games remaining, Golden State will look to build momentum from Curry’s return as they prepare for the play-in tournament. The Warriors know they are locked into the No. 10 seed and will need to win two road play-in games to advance, making every minute — and every call — critical.
Curry’s return was a reminder of what the Warriors can be with their franchise cornerstone healthy. Now the focus shifts to getting him more minutes, stabilizing the frontcourt, and finding a rhythm heading into the postseason push.
Warriors fans, what’s your reaction? How frustrated are you by the missed calls in the final minutes? Do you believe Stephen Curry’s return gives the Warriors a real chance to escape the play-in, or is the frontcourt still too thin? Let us know in the comments below.
The final stretch of the regular season will be crucial for Golden State. With Curry back and the team fighting for every win, the Warriors are doing everything they can to stay competitive in a tough Western Conference.