Short-handed Warriors edge Rockets 115-113 in overtime thriller

HOUSTON (AP) — Brandon Podziemski had 26 points, De'Anthony Melton added 23 and the short-handed Golden State Warriors outlasted the Houston Rockets 115-113 in overtime Thursday night.

The Warriors were up three with about 30 seconds left in overtime when Kevin Durant was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made the first two before a miss. Golden State got the rebound and Melton made a tip-in layup with 5.3 seconds left to push the lead to 115-112.

Durant made 1 of 2 free throws after and a foul by the Rockets allowed Golden State to hold on for the win.

Al Horford added 17 points for the Warriors as Stephen Curry sat out for a 12th consecutive game with a knee injury. The Warriors have said that he’s expected to be re-evaluated around Tuesday.

Reed Sheppard led Houston with 30 points, including six 3-pointers, and Durant added 23.

It was tied with less than three minutes left in overtime before Podziemski made a 3-pointer followed by a driving layup to give Golden State a 111-106 lead about a minute later.

Amen Thompson made the first of two free throws before rebounding the miss on the second. Durant hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 1. Horford made a basket for Golden State to make it 113-110.

Alperen Sengun gave the Rockets the lead with about a minute left in regulation on a short basket before a 3-pointer by Horford put Golden State on top 101-99.

Another bucket by Sengun tied it with about 30 seconds remaining before Durant was called for a foul on Melton with 6.5 seconds left. But the Rockets challenged the call and it was overturned.

The Warriors won the jump ball and called a timeout, but Gui Santos turned the ball over with 0.3 seconds remaining before Thompson missed a shot under the basket to send it to overtime.

Golden State: At Oklahoma City on Saturday night.

Houston: Hosts Portland on Friday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Golden State Warriors guard De'anthony Melton, left, hugs Al Horford after making a basket against the Houston Rockets during overtime of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer, right, looks to pass as Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., left, shoots as Golden State Warriors guard De'anthony Melton defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Golden State Warriors center Al Horford, right, shoots as Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) dribbles as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Jet Greaves made 26 saves, Mathieu Olivier scored twice and the Columbus Blue Jackets dealt another blow to Florida's playoff hopes with a 4-2 victory over the Panthers on Thursday night.

Two-time defending champion Florida is in danger of becoming the first Cup-winning team to miss the playoffs the following season since Los Angeles in 2014-15. Ten points behind Boston for the final wild-card spot in the East, the Panthers have lost the first four games of a trip that ends Friday night in Detroit.

Defenseman Ivan Provorov had a goal and two assists and Boone Jenner also scored to help Columbus win its third straight and move within a point of Boston. The Blue Jackets were coming off a back-to-back sweep, beating the Rangers 5-4 in overtime in New York on Monday night and Nashville on Tuesday night to open a four-game homestand.

Defenseman Niko Mikkola and Sam Bennett scored for Florida in a 5:36 span of the third period.

Gustav Forsling appeared to tie it with 2:55 to go, but Columbus successfully challenged for goaltender interference. Olivier then put it away with an empty-netter with 1:42 left.

Provorov scored on a power play at 5:08 of the first, firing in a wrist shot from the blue line. Olivier struck on a tip with 9:10 left in the second, and Jenner beat goalie Daniil Tarasov from close range at 1:41 of the third. Jenner returned after missing a game because of a lower-body injury.

Mikkola scored on a tip at 9:08 of the third, and Bennett pulled the Panthers within one on a power play with 5:16 left.

Tarasov stopped 23 shots.

A day ahead of the NHL trade deadline, the Panthers sent 38-year-old defenseman Jeff Petry to Minnesota for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2026.

Panthers: At Detroit on Friday night.

Blue Jackets: Host Utah on Saturday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhla

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) celebrates after scoring in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)