NBA: Warriors stretch win streak to 6 after thumping Rockets

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors waves to the crowd after the game against the Houston Rockets in an NBA game at Toyota Center on April 04, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Tim Warner/Getty Images/AFP

HOUSTON — Steph Curry and Klay Thompson scored 29 points each and the Golden State Warriors stretched their winning streak to a season-high six games with a 133-110 win over the Houston Rockets in the NBA on Thursday night.

“We know we can score against most teams but defense has been our calling card,” Curry said.

The Warriors, who are in 10th place in the Western Conference, never trailed and built a 15-point lead by halftime behind 21 points by Thompson. He made seven 3-pointers with five of them coming in the first half.

READ: NBA: Stephen Curry returns home to carry Warriors past Hornets

“Man, he was smoking and that was fun to watch,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He was feeling it right from the beginning.”

Kerr said he’s not focused on the standings, but rather how they can build on this momentum.

The Splash Brothers were in sync in their win against the Rockets 💦🎯

Curry: 29 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST
Thompson: 29 PTS, 7 3PM, 11-15 FGM

6 wins in a row for GSW 📈 pic.twitter.com/8OwCvTo86l

— NBA (@NBA) April 5, 2024

“We’re not thinking about any of that, we’re just trying to win,” he said. “We’re on a nice run right now and we’re playing good basketball. So we’re going to do that for the next six games and see where we land.”

They improved to 3-0 against Houston this season and have won the last 13 regular-season games against the Rockets.

READ: NBA: Warriors slip closer to the ‘other end of the standings’

“We know what’s at stake and we know how important these last games are,” Thompson said. “So I thought we played with the sense of urgency we needed to get it done.”

Jabari Smith Jr. had 24 points to lead the Rockets, who dropped their third game in a row after winning their previous 11 games. Rookie Cam Whitmore added 17 points off the bench.

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, left, celebrates his three point shot next to Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

“You have to up your level against higher quality, high IQ teams,” coach Ime Udoka said. “Lack of communication has been one thing, but when you see that many slips to the basket and two men on one ball, it’s a lack of communication or a lack of recognition of who you’re guarding.”

The Warriors moved to 42-34 with the win to give them a winning season for the 38th time in franchise history and the fourth in a row.

Golden State was up by 16 after three and had pushed the lead to 20 when Kerr cleared the bench with about four minutes remaining.

Rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis scored a career-high 20 points for the Warriors with five rebounds and four assists in his 10th start this season.

“Trayce, for a rookie, it’s amazing what he’s doing,” Kerr said. “He’s gaining a lot more confidence with the extra playing time here in the second half of the season.”

The Warriors were without Jonathan Kuminga for a fifth straight game because of a knee injury. But Kerr said he was doing better and should return Friday night.

Andrew Wiggins injured his ankle in the fourth quarter and didn’t return, but Kerr said the injury wasn’t serious.

Houston’s Alperen Sengun, who has been out since severely spraining his right ankle March 10, spoke to reporters for the first time since his injury Thursday. He said he’s doing much better, but that he’s only at about 60%, making it unlikely that he’ll return this season.

NEXT NBA SCHEDULE

Warriors: Visit Dallas Friday night.

Rockets: Host Miami Friday night.