NBA games of the week
What we’re looking for in this week’s NBA game, Nuggets vs. Rockets.
NBA experts believe the two Western Conference teams will most likely meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup on Friday, Nov. 21, concluding the first month of the 2025-26 regular season.
The Houston Rockets hosted the Denver Nuggets, and both teams performed as expected.
Kevin Durant, acquired in the offseason, is a good fit for the Rockets (10-3). The Rockets have won 10 of 11 games and are one of 10 NBA teams to have sold out every game. The Nuggets (11-3) have lost just two games since losing to the Warriors in the season opener, and Nikola Jokic is off to a start exceeding career highs in rebounds, assists and field goal percentage.
Their matchup headlines this latest NBA Cup game, scheduled to be broadcast nationally on Friday as part of the first half of the 2025-26 schedule, which has seen a significant increase in viewership. More than 60 million people watched NBA games nationwide during the first four weeks of the season, the most viewers for an opening month in 15 years, according to the league.
Here’s how to watch Friday’s NBA Cup game between the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets.
The Nuggets managed to keep pace with the Rockets, outscoring them 34-29 in the third quarter. Nikola Jokic had 28 points, nine rebounds and six assists in 27 minutes and three quarters of play. Jamal Murray had 12 points and eight assists.
Reid Shepard only scored four of his 20 points in the third quarter. For the Rockets, Jabari Smith Jr. had 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Nuggets announced that Aaron Gordon suffered a right hamstring strain during the first half and missed the second half.
The Rockets outscored the Nuggets 37-21 in the second quarter and took the lead at halftime.
For Houston, Reid Shepard scored 20 points in the first half. Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic was held to just three points in the second quarter.
Nikola Jokic had seven points and seven rebounds for the Nuggets in the first quarter. Peyton Watson and Jamal Murray each had five points. Kevin Durant scored six of the Rockets’ 12 points.
The Nuggets built a 16-8 lead with 3:50 left in the first quarter. Jamal Murray scored five points for Denver.
Alperen Shengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams, Armen Thompson, and Kevin Durant made up the Rockets’ starting lineup.
Jamal Murray, Cam Johnson, Peyton Watson, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic started for the Nuggets.
What time is today’s Nuggets vs. Rockets NBA Cup game?
The Houston Rockers will take on the Denver Nuggets in NBA Cup action at Toyota Center on Friday, November 21st at 9:30pm ET.
How to watch Nuggets vs. Rockets in the NBA Cup: TV, Live Streaming
The NBA Cup game on Friday, November 21st between the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets will be live streamed nationwide on Amazon Prime Video.
- date:November 21, 2025
- time: 9:30 PM ET (8:30 PM local time)
- position: Toyota Center (Houston)
- tv set: none
- streaming:Amazon Prime Video
Good start for Nikola Jokic
The Denver Nuggets star is on pace to set a new career high and possibly win his third NBA Most Valuable Player Award.
- Jokic’s stats from the last 9 games: 34.0PPG | 12.6 RPG | 11.3 APG | .724 2PT% | .476 3PT%
- Jokic 2025-26 season statistics: 29.1 PPG | 13.2 RPG | 11.1 APG — Leads NBA in rebounds and assists
Alperen Sengun fuels the Rockets
Kevin Durant (25.5 years old) tends to get the most attention from opponents and fans alike, but teammate Alperen Shengun has been filling the stat sheet so far this season.
- Shenggun 2025-26 season statistics: 23.4 PPG | 10.4 RPG | 8.7 APG | 45.3% FG% | .409 3PT%
- Elite companies: Shengun is the only player other than Jokic to average more than 23 points, more than 10 rebounds, and more than 7 assists.
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