Golden State Warriors vs Denver Nuggets

Ball Arena in Denver will host the Golden State Warriors against the Denver Nuggets on Friday, 7 November 2025, with tip-off scheduled for 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This NBA Cup group-stage matchup represents a key early-season test for both teams, particularly as Golden State navigates a challenging road environment.

Golden State enters the game dealing with significant absences. Stephen Curry is out due to illness, Jimmy Butler is questionable with a lower-back strain, and Draymond Green is probable with a rib contusion. The Warriors will rely on their young players and bench contributors to help fill the gap left by these key figures. Denver Nuggets comes in largely healthy, with only Zeke Nnaji listed as questionable due to an ankle sprain, leaving Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon available to lead the team.

Tactically, Golden State’s coach plans to adjust the offense to emphasize ball movement, off-ball cuts, and spacing, reducing reliance on isolation plays and Curry-led scoring. Defensively, the Warriors will need to reorganize rotations to compensate for missing leaders. Denver’s coach is expected to exploit the matchup advantage by pushing tempo, controlling the paint, and using Jokić’s playmaking to create scoring opportunities while pressuring Golden State’s weakened guard and frontcourt coverage.

Media coverage before the game has highlighted Golden State’s challenges with missing key players and questioned whether their bench can sustain competitive performance against a healthy Nuggets team. Analysts note Denver’s home-court advantage and roster stability gives them a clear edge. Pre-game discussions emphasize that Golden State must improve defensive cohesion and rely on efficient shooting from secondary scorers to stay in contention.

Studio analysts predict Denver as the likely winner but point out that Golden State still has the talent to make the game competitive if their young contributors rise to the occasion. Key talking points include whether Denver can fully capitalize on Curry’s absence, if Golden State’s bench can generate enough scoring and stops, and how the battle for pace and rebounding will influence the outcome. The consensus is that Denver holds the advantage, but Golden State’s adjustments and urgency could keep the contest close.