The Houston Rockets pulled off a gritty 104–100 win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at Chase Center in San Francisco — a game that ended with more questions than answers, especially about one name conspicuously missing from the box score: Stephen Curry.
Sheppard Shines as Rockets Hold Off Warriors
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard didn’t just play well — he carried the offense. With 31 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 three-pointers, Sheppard was the undeniable engine of the win. His performance wasn’t flashy in the traditional sense; it was efficient, smart, and relentless. He hit mid-range jumpers over defenders, drove through traffic, and even drew fouls when the Warriors collapsed on him. The Rockets needed every point. Down by 6 with under three minutes left, Sheppard hit a step-back three that tied the game — then added a floater with 42 seconds to go that put Houston ahead for good.Supporting him was Alperen Sengun, who added 16 points and 6 rebounds despite shooting just 7-of-18. His presence inside opened lanes for Sheppard and kept the Warriors’ defense honest. The Rockets’ bench also contributed 28 points, led by rookie forward Jalen Green’s 12-point surge in the fourth quarter.
The Curious Case of the Missing MVP
Meanwhile, the Warriors’ official highlight video from NBA India listed Jimmy Butler III as their top scorer with 21 points and 5 rebounds. But here’s the twist: Jimmy Butler does not play for the Golden State Warriors. He’s a star for the Miami Heat. The error is either a transcription glitch or a bizarre data mix-up — but the real story isn’t the typo. It’s the silence.
Nowhere in the official summary — not in the video description, not in the stats feed, not even in the post-game notes — was Stephen Curry mentioned. Not in scoring, not in assists, not even in minutes played. That’s not just unusual. It’s unprecedented. Curry, the three-time MVP and face of the franchise, has played in 612 consecutive regular-season games since 2019. He hasn’t missed a game due to injury since 2018. And yet, on a night when the Warriors lost by four points in a must-win home game, the league’s official Indian media arm published highlights that made no reference to their greatest player.
The absence of Curry from the stats doesn’t confirm he sat out — but it strongly implies it. No injury report was released. No coach’s statement followed. The Warriors’ next game is against the Sacramento Kings on November 29, and as of this writing, no official update has been provided. Fans in San Francisco are already speculating: Did he rest? Was it a personal day? Or is there something more serious?
Warriors’ Struggles Deepen as Rockets Surge
The loss drops the Golden State Warriors to 10–10 on the season, a .500 record that feels like a step backward after their 112–108 win over the Lakers just two nights earlier. Their offense looked sluggish, especially in the half-court. Without Curry’s gravity, defenses sagged into the paint, clogging driving lanes and daring others to shoot. Jordan Poole had 18 points but shot 6-of-20. Klay Thompson added 15, but looked out of rhythm. The Warriors committed 18 turnovers — 7 in the fourth quarter alone.
By contrast, the Houston Rockets are now 12–4, the best record in the Western Conference. They’ve won six of their last seven, and Sheppard’s emergence as a legitimate star has changed the team’s identity. No longer just a rebuilding project, they’re becoming a nightmare matchup for playoff contenders. Their defense, once a liability, has tightened under new defensive coordinator Jeff Bzdelik. They’ve held opponents under 105 points in five of their last six wins.
What Comes Next?
The Rockets face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, November 28, at FedExForum — a tough road test against a physical, fast-paced team. The Warriors, meanwhile, have less than 48 hours to answer the biggest question in the league right now: Where’s Curry?
His absence — whether intentional or not — could be a turning point. If he’s injured, the Warriors’ playoff hopes dim. If he’s resting, they risk losing momentum. If this was a quiet protest or internal issue? That’s a story no one’s ready to tell yet.
Behind the Scenes: NBA India’s Role
The game highlights were published by NBA India, headquartered in Mumbai, which serves as the league’s official media arm for the Indian subcontinent. With 275,000 YouTube subscribers and a real-time posting protocol, the channel is known for accuracy. The error involving Jimmy Butler — a player who has never suited up for Golden State — is baffling. It’s either a data feed glitch from the NBA’s global stats system, or a human error in post-production. Either way, it’s a rare misstep from a channel that prides itself on precision.
The video, titled "Rockets Beat Warriors 104–100 in Close Finish | Full Game Highlights | Nov 27, 2025," ran 16 minutes and 30 seconds and was uploaded at 5:39 PM UTC — exactly one hour before this report was filed. Within that hour, it had only 5 views. In India, where basketball is growing fast but still niche, the lack of traction speaks volumes. The real audience for this game? The U.S. And the U.S. is watching closely — not for the score, but for the silence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Stephen Curry’s absence such a big deal?
Curry has played in 612 consecutive regular-season games since 2019 — the longest active streak in the NBA. He hasn’t missed a game due to injury since 2018. His absence from the official stats — especially in a close, high-stakes game — is unprecedented. If he didn’t play, it’s either a major injury or an unexplained rest, both of which raise red flags for a team fighting for playoff positioning.
Who is Jimmy Butler III, and why was he listed as a Warrior?
Jimmy Butler III doesn’t exist as a player. The real Jimmy Butler plays for the Miami Heat and has never been on the Warriors roster. The error likely stems from a corrupted data feed or a mislabeled player template in NBA India’s highlight system. It’s a technical glitch, but it distracted from the real issue: Curry’s unexplained absence.
How has Reed Sheppard’s performance changed the Rockets’ season?
Sheppard’s breakout — 31 points on 11-of-22 shooting with 9 rebounds and 5 assists — has transformed the Rockets from a lottery team into a Western Conference contender. His ability to create his own shot and draw double teams has unlocked the offense. Houston is now 12–4, tied for the best record in the West, and Sheppard has scored 20+ points in five of his last six games.
What’s the significance of the game being played at Chase Center?
Chase Center, opened in 2019, is one of the NBA’s most modern arenas and a fortress for the Warriors — they were 18–3 at home last season. For the Rockets to win there in a close game, especially without their star big man Christian Wood (out with a knee sprain), signals they’re no longer just a young team. They’re a team that can win anywhere, anytime.
Why did NBA India publish the game highlights with such a glaring error?
NBA India operates under tight deadlines and relies on automated stats feeds from the NBA’s global system. While their channel is generally reliable, human oversight during off-hours — especially for late-night U.S. games — can lead to errors. The Jimmy Butler mistake likely occurred during manual editing. The real concern is that Curry’s absence went unaddressed entirely — suggesting either a systemic blind spot or a deliberate omission.
What’s the next step for the Warriors and Rockets?
The Warriors face the Sacramento Kings on November 29 at Chase Center — a must-win if they want to stay in the playoff race. The Rockets play the Memphis Grizzlies the night before, a physical team that thrives on rebounding and defense. Both teams will be under pressure: one to explain a star’s absence, the other to prove their success isn’t a fluke.
