The two Western Conference teams NBA experts have deemed most likely to challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder meet in NBA Cup action on Friday, Nov. 21 to cap off the first month of the 2025-26 regular season.
The Houston Rockets host the Denver Nuggets with both teams performing like the contenders they were expected to be.
Offseason acquisition Kevin Durant is fitting in well with the Rockets (10-3), who have won 10 of 11 and are one of 10 teams in the NBA to sell out every game thus far. The Nuggets (11-3) have lost just twice since their season-opening defeat to the Warriors, and Nikola Jokić is off to a start that would put him on track to surpass his career highs in rebounds, assists and field goal percentage.
Their matchup is the headliner during this latest batch of NBA Cup games and will be broadcast nationally on Friday, part of an early portion of the 2025-26 schedule that has seen a big increase in viewership. More than 60 million people have watched national NBA games through the first four weeks of the season, according to the league, which is the most viewers for an opening month in 15 years.
Here’s how to watch Friday’s NBA Cup game between the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets:
What time is Nuggets vs. Rockets NBA Cup game today?
The Houston Rockers will host the Denver Nuggets in NBA Cup action at the Toyota Center at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 21.
How to watch Nuggets vs. Rockets in NBA Cup: TV, live streaming
The Friday, Nov. 21 NBA Cup game between the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets will be live streamed nationally on Amazon Prime Video.
- Date: Nov. 21, 2025
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. local)
- Location: Toyota Center (Houston)
- TV: None
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Nikola Jokic’s hot start
The Denver Nuggets star is on an early pace to set new career highs and perhaps win his third NBA Most Valuable Player award:
- Jokić last nine games stats: 34.0 PPG | 12.6 RPG | 11.3 APG | .724 2PT% | .476 3PT%
- Jokić 2025-26 season stats: 29.1 PPG | 13.2 RPG | 11.1 APG — leads NBA in rebounds & assists
Alperen Sengun fueling Rockets
While Kevin Durant (25.5) tends to draw the most attention from opposing players and fans, teammate Alperen Şengün has been stuffing the stat sheets so far this season:
- Şengün 2025-26 season stats: 23.4 PPG | 10.4 RPG | 8.7 APG | 45.3% FG% | .409 3PT%
- Elite company: Şengün is the only player besides Jokić averaging 23+ PTS, 10+ REB, 7+ AST
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