Warriors Announce Change After NBA Cup Exit

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Nov 29, 2025 11:48 PM ET

The Golden State Warriors were officially eliminated from the Emirates NBA Cup after losing to the Houston Rockets, 104-100, on Wednesday.

Golden State had no answer for second-year guard Reed Sheppard, who exploded for 31 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Only Jimmy Butler scored more than 20 points for the Dubs with 21, as the Rockets limited their scoring opportunities.

The Warriors committed 16 turnovers and allowed the Rockets to score 22 points off those mistakes.

As a result, the Warriors finished the group stage of the NBA Cup with a 1-3 record, placing them at the bottom of the West Group C and preventing them from moving to the knockout rounds of the competition. Only the top teams in the six groups and the two teams with the next best records advance to the quarterfinals.

Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry (30) looks on during a game.© Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

With the Warriors not playing in the next stage, however, it also means they will play regular season games during the knockout rounds. It's worth noting that the initial schedule release of NBA teams only included 80 games, with the additional two games added depending on how the NBA Cup plays out.

In the Warriors' case, since they are eliminated, two games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers have been added to their regular season schedule.

The team announced the change on Saturday, adding that the Timberwolves and Blazers games will both be televised on NBC Sports Bay Area and 95.7 The Game.

Warriors announce additions to regular season schedule: pic.twitter.com/RMrBsWigGG
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) November 29, 2025

While it's certainly disappointing that the Warriors won't have the chance to fight for the 2025-26 NBA Cup championship, the team is still in playoff contention.

The team, playing without the injured Steph Curry, beat the New Orleans Pelicans during Saturday's showdown and improved to 11-10 on the season. The Warriors remain eighth in the Western Conference standings.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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