Aaron Holiday's 14 Points Fuel Houston Rockets' 104-100 Win Over Golden State Warriors

It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough. Aaron Holiday shot just 4-of-16 from the field — a brutal 25% — yet still helped the Houston Rockets pull off a gritty 104-100 victory over the Golden State Warriors on November 26, 2025Houston. How? Because sometimes, basketball isn’t about efficiency. It’s about presence. About being there when it matters.

Efficiency Didn’t Matter. Impact Did.

Holiday’s stat line looked like a nightmare for fantasy managers: 14 points on 16 shots, 3-of-11 from deep, 3-of-4 from the line. But buried in those numbers was something more telling: 3 offensive rebounds. In a game where every possession counted — and the Warriors were clawing back from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter — Holiday’s hustle on the glass kept the Rockets alive. He didn’t just shoot poorly. He fought for second chances. He didn’t just miss threes. He kept shooting, because the coaching staff told him to.

That’s the kind of player you want in a tight game. Not the guy who shoots 60%. The guy who takes the tough shot anyway. The one who doesn’t flinch when the crowd groans. Holiday’s three-pointers weren’t clean looks — they were contested, off-balance, often from the corner. And yet, he made three of them. That’s not luck. That’s nerve.

The Game Turned on Defense — and a Few Key Plays

The Warriors, led by Stephen Curry (28 points, 7 assists), looked poised to extend their winning streak to four games. They were up 92-86 with 5:12 left. Then came the Rockets’ response. Jalen Green hit a step-back three. Alperen Şengün blocked a drive by Jonathan Kuminga. And then, with 1:17 left and Houston up by two, Holiday stripped Andrew Wiggins on a cross-court pass — his only steal of the night — leading to a fast-break layup by Tariq Eason.

No one talked about it afterward. No ESPN highlight. No TikTok clip. But that steal was the turning point. The Warriors never recovered. They missed their final four field goals. The Rockets, meanwhile, went 5-for-6 from the free-throw line in the last 90 seconds.

Why This Win Matters More Than the Score

The Rockets are 8-14 this season. They’re not contenders. But they’re becoming something else: resilient. After losing seven of their last nine, this win wasn’t about talent. It was about identity. The Warriors? They’re 12-10, but their defense is crumbling. They’ve allowed 112+ points in five of their last seven games. That’s not a team that should lose to a Rockets squad missing two starters.

Here’s the twist: Holiday’s shooting slump isn’t new. He’s shooting 31% from the field this month. But his minutes have increased. His role has expanded. And the Rockets aren’t benching him. Why? Because they see something others don’t — a player who makes winning plays even when he’s not scoring efficiently. He’s averaging 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists over his last six games. That’s not a bench warmer. That’s a glue guy.

What’s Next for Both Teams?

The Rockets play the San Antonio Spurs on Friday — a team they’ve beaten twice this season. If they win, they’ll be back above .500 in their last 10 games. That’s a huge psychological shift for a franchise still rebuilding.

The Warriors, meanwhile, face the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. With Draymond Green still out with a calf strain, their perimeter defense is thin. If they can’t fix that, their playoff push — already shaky — could unravel.

Behind the Numbers: The Real Story of Aaron Holiday

Let’s break down Holiday’s night beyond the box score. He played 29:25 — more than any other Rockets guard. He was on the floor for 27 of the game’s final 30 minutes. His three offensive rebounds came in the fourth quarter — all when the Warriors were switching to zone. He didn’t just grab them. He drew fouls. He forced defenders to commit. That’s basketball IQ. That’s leadership.

And here’s the quietest stat of all: Holiday had zero turnovers. In a game with 28 combined turnovers, he handled the ball under pressure without a mistake. That’s rare for a player taking 16 shots. It means he knew when to pass. When to hold. When to shoot. He didn’t force anything. He just kept playing.

It’s easy to call him inefficient. But efficiency isn’t everything. Sometimes, it’s about being the guy who doesn’t quit when the shot clock’s winding down. Who doesn’t hang his head after missing eight threes. Who still dives for a loose ball with 20 seconds left.