Overview
- Denver routed Golden State 129-104 to open NBA Cup group play, with Nikola Jokic putting up 29 points, nine rebounds and nine assists as the Warriors fell to 0-1 with a -25 differential.
- Stephen Curry missed his third straight game with illness after being downgraded from questionable to out two hours before tipoff against Indiana.
- Steve Kerr cited a lack of purpose and energy in the Denver loss, and the young core struggled, with Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski each shooting 3-for-10 and Moses Moody going 1-for-9.
- Green said the defense "sucks," called for individual accountability, and the Warriors rank 14th in defensive rating at 114.2 points allowed per 100 possessions.
- Golden State sits 5-5 before a six-game road trip this week, with availability and minutes under strain and Al Horford managing a left foot issue.