Golden State basketball returns tonight as the Warriors begin NBA Cup play with a Friday night matchup against the Denver Nuggets. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM PT in Denver, with live coverage available on Prime Video.
On Wednesday, Golden State fell to the Sacramento Kings, 121–116. Both squads were short on personnel — the Warriors missed Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, while the Kings played without Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis.
Moses Moody and rookie Will Richard carried the Warriors offensively, combining for 58 points. Despite their effort, Sacramento’s experienced roster secured the victory, driven by Russell Westbrook’s triple-double performance of 23 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Curry remains sidelined due to illness and will not play in tonight’s game. Draymond Green is expected to return, while Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody, and Al Horford are listed as questionable.
“We need to take better care of the ball,” said head coach Steve Kerr after the Sacramento loss.
The Warriors surrendered 30 points off 19 turnovers in their last game and currently have the fourth-highest turnover average in the league (17.2 per game). Expect Golden State to focus heavily on improving its ball security against Denver.
The Warriors face the Nuggets in their NBA Cup opener, aiming to rebound from recent mistakes and adjust their play amid key roster absences.