The 2026 NBA Cup opened with a dramatic statement at the Chase Center, where the Golden State Warriors clawed back from a staggering 23-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 112-95, fueled by 31 points from Stephen Curry.
Curry and Warriors Stun Lakers After a 38-15 Disaster
Things looked bleak for Golden State early on. The Lakers commanded the floor from the opening tip, steamrolling through the first quarter to build a commanding 38-15 lead that eventually ballooned to 25 points. Luka Dončić immediately took charge for Los Angeles, while the Warriors misfired from deep and struggled to establish any offensive rhythm.
Then came a complete tactical reversal in the second period. Golden State unleashed a matching 38-15 run to wipe out the deficit entirely, sending both teams into the locker room deadlocked at 53-53. The hosts tightened their grip after the break, edging ahead 85-80 before putting the game away with a 27-15 final frame.
Curry paced the winners with 31 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists. Brandin Podziemski chipped in a complete line of 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, while De’Anthony Melton added 16 points off the bench and Niang added 11. The long ball proved decisive: Golden State connected on 22 of 46 attempts from beyond the arc for a sizzling 47.8 percent clip, vastly outshooting the Lakers’ 11-of-39 night.
Dončić finished as the game’s top scorer with 37 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, accompanied by 21 points from Austin Reaves and a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double with 5 blocks from Walker Kessler. Yet, 20 turnovers and a profound offensive drought after the first quarter ultimately derailed the visitors.
Irving and Flagg Halt Houston’s Five-Game Surge
In Dallas, the Mavericks handed the Houston Rockets their first loss of the young season with a 116-111 victory, driven by a masterclass from Kyrie Irving and rookie sensation Cooper Flagg. Irving pumped in 35 points and dished out 9 assists, while Flagg contributed 33 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Their combined 68 points proved lethal down the stretch, particularly during a 40-27 fourth-quarter surge.
Houston had controlled the tempo through the middle quarters behind Kevin Durant’s 28 points, Jabari Smith Jr.’s 22 points, and Fred VanVleet’s 16 points and 6 assists. But missed free throws from Durant and a late surge by Flagg turned the tide. Daniel Gafford added 18 points and 7 rebounds for Dallas, sealing a gritty win that halts Houston’s momentum.
Antetokounmpo Dominates as Miami Overwhelms Indiana
Miami opened group play in the NBA Cup with a high-octane 145-125 offensive explosion against the Indiana Pacers. Giannis Antetokounmpo orchestrated the rout with a commanding triple-double of 31 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists. Bam Adebayo chipped in 27 points and 9 rebounds, while Amen Thompson supplied 25 points built on seven three-pointers.
Indiana, missing the injured Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin, got 24 points from Quenton Jackson and 22 points and 9 assists from Andrew Nembhard. Despite a blistering 42-point first quarter from the Pacers, Miami’s relentless 58.1 percent shooting from the field and 45 percent mark from deep overwhelmed the visitors, capped by another 42-point onslaught in the final frame.
Around the Association
Elsewhere in the opening slate of the NBA Cup, Scottie Barnes poured in a career-high 41 points for the Toronto Raptors, but the Orlando Magic secured a 121-114 victory behind 28 points from Desmond Bane and 26 points and 11 assists from Franz Wagner. Denver marched into Phoenix to knock off the Suns 127-120, propelled by 39 points from Jamal Murray and 31 points from Christian Braun.
Philadelphia squeezed past the New York Knicks 98-93, as Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 27 points and LeBron James added 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists to seal it in the final moments. Boston rolled past Chicago 125-111 behind 30 points from Payton Pritchard and 26 points from Jayson Tatum. Detroit topped Brooklyn 110-94, Washington defeated Charlotte 95-79 behind Anthony Davis’s 25 points and 13 rebounds, and Minnesota cruised past the LA Clippers 127-101.
