Giannis Dominates with 41 Points as Spurs Stun Rockets and Mavericks Face Crushing Defeat in NBA Cup 2025 Showdown

The NBA Cup returned to the spotlight with a bang, igniting the courts with electrifying Western Conference showdowns that had fans on the edge of their seats. The San Antonio Spurs, led by the indefatigable Victor Wembanyama, orchestrated a thunderous halftime surge to top the Houston Rockets, turning heads with a performance that wasn’t just solid — it was downright game-breaking. Meanwhile, despite De’Aaron Fox yet to lace up for San Antonio this season, the Spurs have surged to an impressive 6-2 record, standing tall atop Group C. Over in Golden State, the absence of Stephen Curry was painfully evident as the Warriors fell hard to the Denver Nuggets, with Nikola Jokić showcasing why he’s a three-time MVP, practically dictating the game with near triple-double numbers. Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo bulldozed the Bucks past the Bulls with a 41-point spectacle, while Memphis made quick work of an undermanned Dallas Mavericks squad. The week’s action was capped by a jaw-dropping 40-point blowout by the Minnesota Timberwolves over Utah, a game memorable not only for its scoreline but also for the unusually vivid green court that cast an eerie glow on players’ faces. With games streaming every Friday until the end of November and some extra group clashes around Thanksgiving, the Emirates NBA Cup promises a rollercoaster ride of thrilling basketball — and trust me, you won’t want to miss a beat. LEARN MORE

After an eventful first night of NBA Cup action, the league’s in-season tournament returned with a slate of games highlighted by a pair of nationally televised Western Conference clashes.

The Spurs got arguably the loudest win of the night after bookending halftime with a pair of runs against the Houston Rockets. Victor Wembanyama was again his game-breaking self with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks, though he also had help from Stephon Castle (14 points, 13 assists), Harrison Barnes (24 points) and Julian Champagnie (22 points, five steals).

De’Aaron Fox still hasn’t played a game for San Antonio this season, but they’re 6-2 and now leading Group C in the West.

The Golden State Warriors were also without an All-Star point guard in Stephen Curry, and unsurprisingly felt that absence much more in a 129-104 loss to the Denver Nuggets. They were overwhelmed by Nikola Jokić and his 26 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists in a fairly simple night at the office for the three-time MVP.

Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 41 points as the Bucks handed the Chicago Bulls their second loss of the season, while the Dallas Mavericks — missing Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving — got rolled by the Memphis Grizzlies 118-104.

A 40-point Minnesota Timberwolves win over the Utah Jazz was also notable because a) it was such a blowout that Minnesota moved ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the point differential fight and b) the green court was so bright the glow was legitimately reflecting onto the faces of people on the court.

The Emirates NBA Cup is played every Friday until Nov. 28. The week of Thanksgiving will feature additional group-play games on Tuesday and Wednesday.

NBA Cup 2025: Schedule, format and new courts for this year’s in-season tournament

The quarterfinals will be played from Dec. 9-10. Then the semifinals and championship will be held on Dec. 13 and Dec. 16, respectively.