The NBA Cup is heating up, and for the Golden State Warriors, it’s about to get downright scorching. Dubbed the “Group of Death” by analysts and fans alike, the Warriors’ path through the in-season tournament has been nothing short of a gauntlet from the jump. Tonight marks the official kickoff of this grueling slate, as Golden State heads into the thin air of Denver to face off against the Nuggets—a matchup that feels more like a playoff preview than a mid-November group-stage affair.
The Warriors are no strangers to tough stretches, but this one is testing their mettle early and often. They’re already 0-3 on the road during a punishing run of 10 away games in just 12 nights, and their overall road record sits at a dismal 1-4 this season. Add in the fact that this is their fourth consecutive road contest, and the fatigue is palpable. But the real gut punch? Stephen Curry, the engine of this franchise, is sidelined for his second straight game with an illness. Without their sharpshooting superstar, the burden falls squarely on the shoulders of a supporting cast that’s shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to prove it can carry the load consistently.
A Group Straight Out of a Horror Movie
For the uninitiated, the NBA Cup—formerly known as the In-Season Tournament—pits teams in group play before a knockout bracket, all in the name of injecting some mid-season excitement into the league. Golden State’s Group C has been labeled the toughest draw in the entire tournament, featuring juggernauts like the Denver Nuggets, the surging Houston Rockets, and a San Antonio Spurs squad that’s quietly building momentum under Gregg Popovich’s steady hand. Even their “breather” opponent, the Portland Trail Blazers, already handed the Warriors a loss earlier this year.
Tonight’s opener against Denver is just the appetizer. In a week’s time, Golden State treks to San Antonio for what will be their third road game in a row during this six-game away marathon. The Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama’s otherworldly presence, have turned the Alamo City into a fortress. Then comes a brief respite back home on November 26 against those same Rockets, who knocked the Warriors out of last year’s tournament in heartbreaking fashion—a one-point thriller marred by a controversial foul call on Jonathan Kuminga that still has Steve Kerr fuming. Sandwiched in there is that November 21 date with Portland, but don’t let the “easy” label fool you; the Blazers’ young core has already proven they can sting the Dubs.
It’s a schedule that would make even the most optimistic Warriors fan reach for the antacids. As Kerr put it after practice yesterday, “We’ve got to treat every game like it’s Game 7, but without Steph, it’s like playing with one hand tied behind our back. The Cup adds stakes, but health is our real tournament right now.”
Last Year’s Scar Tissue
The ghosts of NBA Cups past loom large over this Warriors squad. Just 12 months ago, Golden State entered the tournament with championship aspirations bubbling under the surface. They advanced to the knockout round only to fall to Houston in a razor-thin defeat, courtesy of that infamous late whistle. Kerr’s postgame tirade—”This isn’t basketball; it’s bureaucracy”—echoed through the league, highlighting how seriously the Warriors (and the NBA at large) now take this event. What started as a novelty experiment has evolved into a proving ground, with teams scouting lineups, managing minutes, and even nursing minor injuries to peak at the right time.
This year, the Dubs’ approach feels tempered by reality. With Curry’s absence underscoring their vulnerability, the focus has shifted from Cup glory to survival. “We’re not chasing a trophy in November,” veteran Draymond Green said bluntly. “We’re chasing rhythm, health, and a damn win streak. The Cup’s fun, but the playoffs are where wars are won.” Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski have stepped up in Curry’s stead, combining for 45 points in Wednesday’s loss to Oklahoma City, but consistency remains the question mark.
Stakes Higher Than the Mile High City
Tonight in Denver, the altitude isn’t the only thing that could leave the Warriors gasping. The Nuggets, fresh off a statement win over the Lakers, boast the league’s most balanced attack: Nikola Jokić’s triple-double wizardry, Jamal Murray’s clutch gene, and a defense that’s suffocating opponents at a historic clip. A loss here drops Golden State to 0-1 in group play, putting immense pressure on their remaining slate. Win, and it’s a morale booster that could propel them through the road woes.
The NBA Cup was designed to matter, and boy, does it ever for the Warriors. Last season’s near-miss lit a fire; this year’s “Group of Death” is fanning it into an inferno. As the tip-off approaches in Ball Arena, all eyes will be on whether Golden State’s depth can defy the odds—or if this brutal beginning signals deeper troubles ahead.
One thing’s for sure: in the pressure cooker of the Cup, excuses evaporate faster than oxygen at 5,280 feet. The Warriors need a statement. Tonight, they get their shot.