3 takeaways after Warriors collapse late to Rockets

The Golden State Warriors are not heading to Las Vegas. They collapsed late to Houston Rockets, ending their NBA Cup fantasies in a 91-90 loss in Houston. Here are three takeaways.

Ownage of the Rockets, and NBA Cup dreams, ended

This would have been the 16th (16th!!!) time the Warriors beat the Rockets in a row. Instead, their 15-game winning streak was snapped thanks to some outstanding defense and putrid offense.

Houston has been a decent matchup for the Warriors even with a young core because they are a poor shooting team. But in a game like this, the Warriors showed once again that they have no alternative to Stephen Curry, especially late.

The Rockets attacked Curry and no one else answered the call. Warriors players will each get north of $51,497 for the loss, a figure that would have, at minimum, doubled or quadrupled with a win. The Rockets will go on to face the Thunder, while the Warriors will host the Dallas Mavericks.

Turnovers are... important

The Warriors had a season-high 14 turnovers in the first half. They had just one in the second half until the second part of the fourth quarter. That control of the ball is what allowed them to recover and take the lead.

But in the final five possessions, Golden State turned the ball over four times. Houston trapped Curry and was aggressive in passing lanes, and the Warriors didn't show any ability to drive, cut, or create space in any way.

Turning it over 22 times is a difficult way to win any game. It's part of what makes the Rockets a tough out. They apply relentless pressure on defense, even if they're woefully inconsistent shooters.

Chaos in the final 4:26

Golden State went up by four with 4:26 remaining thanks to a Brandin Podziemski three right in the face of Jabari Smith. Could they hold on?

It started well. Draymond Green got an outstanding stop against Alperen Sengun that turned into a Jonathan Kuminga corner three on the other end.

They avoided a potential gut punch flagrant foul on Green on Sengun on the next possession — he held on a bit longer than a typical foul, but appeared to be trying to hold Sengun up. Sengun hit both, then Kuminga hit one on the other end.

Green was everywhere. After he whiffed on a running floater, he swatted a Jalen Green corner 3-pointer.

But the Warriors came up empty with a bad possession on the other end.

1:39 remaining, still a six-point lead. Green held up again. He stifled Sengun in the post again. But the Warriors couldn't secure the rebound and Fred VanVleet hit a fading 3-pointer to cut the Warriors lead to three.

Out of the timeout... a turnover. Green overthrew a Kuminga cut to the rim. Three-straight possessions with turnovers.

1:03 remaining. Warriors up three. Green fouled Sengun before a shot. The Rockets had a woeful possession and finished with a Smith 3-pointer that went wayward, but went out of bounds off of Podziemski's hand.

32.5 seconds remaining. Rockets ball. Warriors up three. Off the inbound, Sengun drove on Kevon Looney and scored.

Then... chaos. Curry launched a 3-pointer midway through the shot clock for reasons only he can explain. He missed. Gary Payton II scrambled for the offensive rebound, but instead of calling a timeout, threw the ball away towards the free throw line. Steve Kerr appeared to try and call a timeout, but no referee saw him.

Jalen Green ended up with the ball, and in the fight for it, apparently was fouled by Kuminga. The Warriors couldn't afford to challenge, needing to advance the ball with their final timeout.

Green hit both free throws to take the lead. Remember, Kuminga missed a free throw in the final few minutes. On the inbounds play, Houston harangued Golden State. Podziemski threw it late to Curry, who threw it back to Podziemski for a terrible, game-concluding look.