Houston Rockets Clinch Victory Over Warriors as Golden State Faces Stephen Curry’s Absence in NBA Match

NBA Cup Heats Up: Thunder, Heat, and Pistons Make Headlines as Playoff Picture Takes shape

Chicago, IL – The NBA Cup tournament is reaching a critical juncture, with several teams solidifying their positions while others face elimination. The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominant form,while the Miami Heat secured a key victory and the Detroit Pistons saw a historic winning streak halted in a thrilling contest.

Thunder Cruise Past Timberwolves in Rematch

The Oklahoma City Thunder (19-1) demonstrated their championship aspirations with a 113-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves (10-8), a repeat of the recent Western Conference Finals matchup. Shai gilgeous-alexander led the charge with a stellar 40-point performance, despite being listed as “doubtful” due to injury. Anthony Edwards put up a valiant effort for the Timberwolves, scoring 31 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Thunder’s firepower. Oklahoma City remains undefeated in their NBA Cup group (3-0).

Heat Secure Top Spot, Bucks Continue to Struggle

The Miami Heat (13-6) are currently leading their group with a 3-1 record after a hard-fought 106-103 win against the Milwaukee Bucks (8-11).This victory marked a important milestone for Heat coach Erik spoelstra,his 800th career win. Tyler Herro’s 29 points and Bam Adebayo’s double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds) proved crucial. The Bucks, simultaneously occurring, are mired in a six-game losing streak, exacerbated by the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Ryan Rollins and Myles Turner led the Bucks with 26 and 24 points respectively.

Pistons’ Winning Streak Ends in Nail-Biter

The Detroit Pistons (15-3) saw their remarkable 13-game winning streak come to an end in a 117-113 loss to the Boston Celtics (10-8). Cade Cunningham delivered a phenomenal performance with 42 points, but a missed free throw in the final seconds sealed the Pistons’ fate.Despite the loss, Detroit remains in contention for a finals spot with a 2-1 record in the cup.Jaylen Brown (33 points) and Derrick White (27 points) powered the Celtics,who are officially eliminated from NBA Cup contention despite the win.

Other Notable Results & Eliminations

* The Toronto raptors and Los Angeles Lakers have already qualified for the final phase.
* The Celtics,Timberwolves,Golden State Warriors,Houston Rockets,Sacramento Kings,Charlotte Hornets,and Portland Trail Blazers have been officially eliminated from NBA Cup contention.
* Stephen Curry suffered a late-game injury,limping off the court during the Houston Rockets’ 100-104 victory in San Francisco.
* Reed Sheppard had a breakout performance for the Rockets, scoring 31 points with 9 rebounds and 5 assists.

The NBA Cup tournament continues to deliver exciting matchups and unexpected results as teams battle for a chance to claim the inaugural championship. The final phase is rapidly approaching, promising a thrilling conclusion to this mid-season competition.

How does Stephen Curry’s absence impact the golden State Warriors’ offensive statistics, specifically points per game, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage?

Rockets Capitalize on curry’s Injury

The Houston Rockets secured a decisive victory over the Golden State Warriors last night, leveraging stephen Curry’s continued absence due to a right ankle sprain. The final score landed at 118-108,marking a significant win for the Rockets as they continue their push in the Western Conference standings. This game highlighted the Warriors’ struggles to maintain offensive momentum without their star point guard, and the Rockets’ ability to exploit that weakness. Key players for Houston included Jalen Green, who lead the scoring with 32 points, and Alperen Şengün, who contributed a dominant double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Warriors’ offensive Struggles Without Curry

Golden State’s offense appeared disjointed throughout much of the game. While Klay Thompson stepped up with 28 points, and Jonathan Kuminga added 22, the team lacked the consistent playmaking and scoring threat that Curry provides. the Warriors shot just 42.9% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range, significantly below their season averages.

Here’s a breakdown of the warriors’ key stats without stephen Curry in the last five games:

* Points Per Game: 105.2 (compared to 116.5 with Curry)

* Field Goal percentage: 41.5% (compared to 47.2% with Curry)

* Three-Point Percentage: 32.1% (compared to 38.6% with Curry)

* Assists Per Game: 24.8 (compared to 29.1 with Curry)

Thes numbers clearly demonstrate the substantial impact Curry has on the Warriors’ offensive efficiency. The team’s reliance on Curry’s scoring and playmaking is evident, and finding consistent alternatives remains a critical challenge.

Jalen Green’s breakout Performance

Jalen Green’s performance was a major catalyst for the Rockets’ win. He showcased a diverse scoring arsenal, hitting contested jump shots, driving to the basket, and converting from beyond the arc.Green’s ability to create his own shot proved particularly valuable against a Warriors defense focused on containing Şengün in the paint. This game could be a turning point in Green’s growth, solidifying his role as a primary scoring option for the rockets.

Green’s Key Stats from the Game:

* Points: 32

* Rebounds: 6

* Assists: 3

* Field Goal percentage: 54.5%

* Three-Point Percentage: 40%

Alperen Şengün’s Dominance in the Paint

Alperen Şengün continued his notable season with another strong performance.His size and skill set presented significant challenges for the Warriors’ frontcourt. Şengün’s ability to score in the post, rebound effectively, and pass out to open shooters made him a focal point of the Rockets’ offense.He consistently drew double-teams, creating opportunities for his teammates.

Impact of Curry’s Injury on Warriors’ Playoff Prospects

Stephen Curry’s injury raises serious concerns about the Warriors’ playoff chances. Currently, the Western Conference is highly competitive, and every game is crucial. Without Curry, the Warriors face an uphill battle to secure a top-six seed and avoid the play-in tournament.

Here’s a look at the Western Conference Playoff Picture (as of November 29, 2025):

1. oklahoma City Thunder (18-5)
2. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-6)
3. Denver nuggets (16-7)
4. Los Angeles clippers (15-8)
5. Dallas Mavericks (14-9)
6. Houston Rockets (13-10)
7. Golden State Warriors (12-11)
8. Phoenix Suns (11-12)
9. Los Angeles Lakers (10-13)
10. Sacramento Kings (9-14)

The Warriors need Curry back on the court quickly to maintain their position in the playoff race. The team’s depth will be tested in the coming weeks as they navigate a challenging schedule without their star player.

Coaching Adjustments and Game Strategy

Rockets coach Ime Udoka made key adjustments defensively, focusing on limiting the Warriors’ three-point opportunities and forcing them into contested mid-range shots. The Rockets also effectively utilized their size advantage, consistently attacking the paint and drawing fouls.Warriors coach Steve Kerr, meanwhile, struggled to find offensive solutions without Curry, relying heavily on isolation plays and hoping for individual brilliance from Thompson and Kuminga. The Rockets’ more cohesive team strategy ultimately proved to be the difference in the game.

Looking Ahead: Warriors’ Schedule and Curry’s Return

the Warriors face a tough stretch of games in the coming weeks, including matchups against the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers. Curry’s return timeline remains uncertain, but the team is hopeful he