Philippines, 20 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA PLAYOFFS -- Warriors soar to 2-0 lead over Rockets


PhilBoxing.com




OAKLAND -- Led by their dreaded "death line-up," the Golden State Warriors stormed to a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference semifinals series against bitter rivals the Houston Rockets by scoring a hard-earned 115-109 Game 2 victory on Tuesday night (Wednesday AM Manila time) at the sold-out Oracle Arena.

Two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant, who has been on a scoring binge the last four games, kept his streak alive and well with 29 points on 9-of-22 shooting to pace the two-time defending champions.

Splash Brothers Steph Curry and Klay Thompson had 43 points between them. Curry had 20 despite sustaining a dislocated finger in the opening quarter. An MRI later revealed no structural damage on the errant finger.

"He's a Warrior, all pun intended," Thompson said of his backcourt buddy who soldiered through the pain to hit three triples and give Golden State a comfortable cushion as it heads to Houston for Saturday's Game 3 of the best-of-7 series at the Toyota Center where the Rockets are unbeaten this postseason and 31-10 during the regular season.

Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala - the other two members of the Warriors' starting unit --- combined for 31 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists to help stave off the game Rockets.

Golden State shot 42 of 91 from the field (46.2 percent) and 11 of 36 from 3-point distance (30.6 percent). Houston, meanwhile, drilled 36 of 77 from the field and 17 of 40 from long range.

After a close first half where Golden State took only a narrow 59-55 advantage, the Warriors appeared to be well on their way to a blowout when Thompson drilled a 26-foot bomb that put the Rockets behind, 82-67, with just 4:15 remaining in the third quarter.

But Houston, led by reigning MVP James Harden. didn't go down easily and crawled to within 92-89 at the 7:25 mark in the fourth quarter. But the Warriors responded with 10-1 run to essentially put Game 2 away.

Harden topped the Rockets with 34 points, and like Curry, he too soldiered through an injury after being inadvertently poked in the eyes during a rebounds scrum with Draymond Green. Harden, who left at the 6:39 left in the first quarter before returning at the 7:09 mark in the second quarter, played only for 34 minutes.

"I barely could see," Harden told reporters at the post-game press conference. Administered with eye drops to help with the blurred vision he hopes to be ready for Game 3, saying "It's pretty blurry right now. Hopefully, it gets better day by day."

Chris Paul turned in 18 points and six dimes for Houston and Eric Gordon nailed three triples to finish with 15. Clint Capela added 14 and 10 rebounds and Tucker chipped in 13 for Houston, which kept charging at the Warriors by converting 17 of their 40 three-point attempts.

To the delight of majority of the 19,596 home crowd, the Warriors jumped to a 29-20 first quarter lead and ended up making 42 of their 91 field goals (46.2 percent) and 11 of their 36 triples (30.6 percent).

Both teams combined for 45 free throws with both Golden State and Houston making 20.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ponciano Melo Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • IIEE to defend Billiard crown in PTC World 2026, World Champ Magpantay is PSA Awardee
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Wood-Warrington II Press Conference Quotes: Everything that Was Said Ahead of Saturday's Sold-Out Rematch in Nottingham
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Opponents for Rising Stars Jimuel Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton on Feb. 28 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Rising Star Promotions Returns to Prudential Center April 10 LIVE ON PROBOX TV
    , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Sante Barley Trilogy Leg 1 on March 29 in Azuela
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • Team Rapid chess tourney goes to Pasay City on March 8 By Marlon Bernardino
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Feb 2026
  • 3rd Horse Show & competition scheduled on February 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Robinsons Bacolod Chess Festival set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 75 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.