Here’s what you need to understand about competitive basketball: sometimes the universe forces your hand before you’re ready to show it.
The Warriors travel to Denver tonight for their NBA Cup opener without
Stephen Curry, who’s sitting with an illness. No big deal, right? Just the guy who dropped 42 points in overtime the last time these teams met. Just arguably the greatest point guard ever, facing a Nuggets team that’s gone 9-1 against Golden State since the 2022 playoffs.
Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets
When: November 7th, 2025 | 7:00 PM PT
TV: Prime Video
Radio: 95.7 The Game
Who on Golden State will carry the offensive load against a Nuggets defense that’s going to dare everyone not named Curry to beat them? With Jimmy Butler ailing, this could come down Jonathan Kuminga, Will Richard, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski to save the day.
Then there’s Nikola Jokic, conducting his nightly offensive symphony. He’s averaging a triple-double this season with five through seven games. In their last meeting, Jokic posted 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists while Aaron Gordon exploded for 50. The Nuggets still lost because Curry outscored their entire team down the stretch.
Tonight, Denver doesn’t have to worry about that. They can load up on whoever has the hot hand and then they can dare everyone else to beat them. They’re 4-0 at home and playing suffocating basketball.
The Warriors are reeling. After starting 4-2, they’ve dropped three of their last four, extending their road losing streak to four straight games. Walking into Colorado without their superstar against a team that’s 9-2 against them since 2022 feels like showing up to an exam you didn’t study for.
But here’s the thing about championship basketball: sometimes adversity reveals character. If the Warriors want to prove they’re serious contenders, this is where you do it. On the road. Without your best player. Against a team that’s dominated you in recent years.
Game tips at 7:00 PM PT. Expect Jokic to do Jokic things. And expect the Warriors to fight like hell, because that’s what contenders do when their backs are against the wall.
