NBA Cup 2025: Giannis Antetokounmpo drops 41 points while Spurs down Rockets and Mavericks lose big

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).

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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.

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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.

The San Antonio Spurs are off to a great start behind Victor Wembanyama. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

For more information about the Cup and how it works, head on over here. You can check out all 30 court designs for Cup play here.

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NBA Cup Night 2 scoreboard

NBA Cup Standings

East Group A

• Toronto Raptors (2-0, +23)

• Cleveland Cavaliers (1-1, +23)

• Indiana Pacers (0-1, -20)

• Washington Wizards (0-1, -34)

East Group B

• Detroit Pistons (1-0, +18)

• Boston Celtics (1-1, -12)

• Philadelphia 76ers (0-1, -1)

East Group C

• Milwaukee Bucks (1-0, +16)

• New York Knicks (0-1, -10)

• Charlotte Hornets (0-1, -18)

West Group A

• Minnesota Timberwolves (1-0, +40)

• Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0, +31)

• Sacramento Kings (0-1, -31)

West Group B

• Los Angeles Lakers (1-0 +5)

• Los Angeles Clippers (1-0, +2)

• Memphis Grizzlies (1-1, +9)

• New Orleans Pelicans (0-1, -2)

• Dallas Mavericks (0-1, -14)

West Group C

• San Antonio Spurs (1-0, +11)

• Portland Trail Blazers (1-0, +2)

• Denver Nuggets (1-1, +23)

• Houston Rockets (0-1, -11)

• Golden State Warriors (0-1, -25)

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