Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets Timeline
Let’s be honest, when you think of NBA rivalries, Celtics vs Lakers probably jumps to mind first. But if you’ve been paying attention to basketball over the last few decades, you’d know there’s another matchup that’s brewed with drama, wild momentum swings, MVP shootouts, and playoff heartbreak. Yes, we’re talking about the Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets.
This isn’t your classic coastal feud. It’s a tug-of-war between Silicon Valley’s finesse and Space City’s grit. And it’s been going strong since 1967, when the Warriors (then San Francisco) first met the newly-formed San Diego Rockets.
Fast forward more than five decades and nearly 240 games later, this rivalry has produced iconic playoff moments, record-breaking stats, and no shortage of trash talk. So how did this all unfold? Let’s break it down.
How Many Times Have They Faced Off and Who’s Leading the Head-to-Head?
As of the end of the 2024-25 NBA season, the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets have faced each other 238 times in the regular season.
Let’s take a look at the scoreboard.
Regular Season Head-to-Head (1967–2025)
| Team | Wins | Losses | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Rockets | 128 | 110 | .538 |
| Golden State Warriors | 110 | 128 | .462 |
The Rockets have the upper hand in regular-season play, though the margin has narrowed in recent years thanks to the Warriors’ dominant stretch from 2021 to 2025.
What Does the Recent History Between These Teams Tell Us?
The Warriors went on a tear from 2021 through early 2025, stringing together 15 straight wins before the Rockets finally snapped the streak in April 2025.
Here’s how the last few matchups unfolded:
Recent Games (2023–2025)
| Date | Winner | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 6, 2025 | Rockets | 106–96 | Chase Center |
| Feb 13, 2025 | Warriors | 105–98 | Toyota Center |
| Dec 11, 2024 | Rockets | 91–90 | Toyota Center |
| Dec 5, 2024 | Warriors | 99–93 | Chase Center |
| Nov 2, 2024 | Warriors (OT) | 127–121 | Toyota Center |
| Apr 4, 2024 | Warriors | 133–110 | Toyota Center |
It’s been back and forth lately, which only adds fuel to the rivalry’s next chapter.
How Have the Playoffs Amplified This Rivalry?
Now, let’s be clear: regular-season games are fun, but the playoffs are where legends are made—or hearts are broken. In the case of the Rockets, it’s been mostly the latter.
The two teams have met in four postseason series since 2015, and the Warriors have won every single one. Ouch.
NBA Playoff Series Results
| Year | Round | Series Result | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Western Conference Finals | 4–1 | Warriors |
| 2016 | First Round | 4–1 | Warriors |
| 2018 | Western Conference Finals | 4–3 | Warriors |
| 2019 | Second Round | 4–2 | Warriors |
The 2018 series remains the most iconic. The Rockets had a 3–2 lead, then Chris Paul pulled a hamstring, and the Rockets proceeded to miss 27 straight three-pointers in Game 7. A moment so infamous, it has its own folklore in NBA Twitter history.
Which Stars Defined This Rivalry Over the Years?
It’s impossible to talk about this matchup without mentioning the household names that made it must-see TV.
For the Warriors:
- Stephen Curry turned three-point shooting into a religion.
- Klay Thompson was the guy who showed up in Game 6 like it was a comic book origin story.
- Kevin Durant turned the Warriors from elite to unfair.
- Draymond Green brought the muscle and the mouth.
On the Rockets’ side:
- James Harden played the role of volume scorer and step-back king.
- Chris Paul, before the injury, nearly orchestrated a historic upset.
- Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady were early stars that made the Rockets a Western powerhouse.
- Russell Westbrook joined briefly to spice things up.
How Do Their Overall Stats Stack Up?
Let’s get nerdy for a second and crunch some numbers.
Regular Season Total Stats (Head-to-Head)
| Stat | Warriors | Rockets |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 238 | 238 |
| Wins | 110 | 128 |
| Field Goals Made | 9,944 | 9,907 |
| FG % | 45.9% | 46.0% |
| 3P % | 36.7% | 34.2% |
| Rebounds Per Game | 46.1 | 47.3 |
| Assists Per Game | 24.0 | 24.7 |
| Points Per Game | 107.9 | 109.1 |
What do we learn here? The teams are statistically close. The Rockets shoot slightly better overall, rebound better, and average more points, but the Warriors shoot threes more efficiently, which in today’s NBA, often matters more.
What Are the Most Iconic Moments in This Rivalry?
There are plenty, but let’s hit the highlight reel.
- Game 7, 2018 WCF: The 27 missed threes. Enough said.
- Game 6, 2019: Curry scores 33 points (all in the second half) after Durant goes down.
- Chris Paul’s shimmy in Game 5 (2018), only to injure himself and miss Game 6 and 7.
- Curry’s “I’m back” game after slipping in the tunnel (2016).
These weren’t just games. They were cinematic experiences.
How Has the Rivalry Changed in the 2020s?
After the Warriors’ dynasty hit pause due to injuries and the Rockets blew up their Harden-era roster, the rivalry cooled, but only for a while.
Warriors in the 2020s
- Won the 2022 NBA Championship with a reloaded squad.
- Developing young players like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski.
Rockets in the 2020s
- Entering a full rebuild with exciting prospects like Jalen Green, Alperen Şengün, and Amen Thompson.
- Under coach Ime Udoka, the team is forming a defensive identity.
It may not be playoff-ready yet, but the chess pieces are back on the board.
What Does the Future Hold for This Matchup?
With the Rockets getting younger and hungrier, and the Warriors clinging to the last chapters of the Curry era, this rivalry could be primed for a revival.
It might not look like 2018 all over again, but the next great Rockets-Warriors clash could be brewing—and it could feature a whole new cast of characters.
The question is: who will write the next chapter?
FAQs
When did the Warriors and Rockets first face off?
The first game took place on October 22, 1967, with the Warriors winning 137–126.
How many total games have they played?
They’ve played 238 regular season games as of April 2025.
What is the all-time regular season record?
Houston Rockets lead with 128 wins to the Warriors’ 110.
How many playoff series have they played?
They’ve faced each other four times in the playoffs. The Warriors have won all four series.
Who holds the longest win streak in the rivalry?
The Warriors won 15 straight games from 2021 to 2025. The Rockets’ longest streak is 11 games (1995–1997).
Which team has more championships?
The Warriors have 7 NBA titles, while the Rockets have 2.
Could this rivalry come back in the next few years?
Absolutely. Both teams are transitioning. One is reloading, the other is rebuilding. They could meet in the playoffs again sooner than you think.
