Breaking: Warriors Reveal Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Schedule — High-Stakes Rockets Rematch Headlines Group C Showdown
SAN FRANCISCO — August 13, 2025
The Golden State Warriors have officially unveiled their fixture list for the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup, a midseason in-season tournament designed to inject playoff-style intensity into the early months of the NBA calendar. The announcement sets the stage for a competitive sprint that includes one of the most anticipated matchups of the season — a 2025 NBA Playoffs first-round rematch with the Houston Rockets.
The Emirates NBA Cup, now in its second year under the Emirates sponsorship, will begin October 31 and conclude with the championship on December 16 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. The Warriors have been drawn into Western Conference Group C, alongside the Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, and San Antonio Spurs — a grouping already dubbed by analysts as the “Group of Death” due to the playoff pedigree and competitive depth it offers.
Group C Overview
Golden State’s placement in Group C is both a challenge and an opportunity. The Rockets are coming off a postseason series win over the Warriors, Denver remains a championship threat led by reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokić, Portland continues its rebuild around young talent, and San Antonio, under Gregg Popovich, is eager to test its latest crop of prospects against elite competition.
Tournament games will count toward regular-season standings, meaning the stakes are two-fold: teams compete not only for in-season tournament advancement but also for a stronger position in the Western Conference playoff race.
Highlight Game: Rockets vs. Warriors — November 26
Circle the date: November 26, 2025, Thanksgiving Eve, 10 p.m. ET on ESPN. This is the matchup everyone is talking about.
The last time these two teams met in a high-pressure setting, Houston delivered a shocking upset in the opening round of the playoffs, ending Golden State’s hopes of a deep postseason run. The emotional sting of that loss still lingers in the Bay Area, and the Emirates NBA Cup offers an early-season shot at redemption.
Both squads have retooled in the offseason. The Warriors remain anchored by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, but younger contributors like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski are expected to play bigger roles. The Rockets, meanwhile, have doubled down on their athletic, fast-paced style, with Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün leading a roster that has grown in confidence after their playoff triumph.
Full Warriors Group Play Schedule (Dates Tentative)
- Oct 31: Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs
- Nov 7: Warriors at Denver Nuggets
- Nov 14: Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- Nov 26: Warriors vs. Houston Rockets (ESPN)
Note: Official NBA schedule listings confirm these dates as part of the tournament’s group phase.
Tournament Format
The Emirates NBA Cup features all 30 NBA teams split into six groups (three per conference). Each team plays four group games — two at home, two on the road — against the other members of its group.
The group winners and the two best second-place teams in each conference advance to the knockout rounds. From there, it’s single elimination:
- Quarterfinals: December 9–10
- Semifinals: December 13 (Las Vegas)
- Championship Game: December 16 (Las Vegas)
The tournament champion not only claims bragging rights but also secures a $500,000 prize per player.
Broadcast & Media Coverage
Fans will be able to watch the Warriors’ Emirates NBA Cup campaign across ESPN, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, and NBA League Pass. Prime Video will stream 17 games — including all semifinals and the championship — while ESPN and NBC will split marquee group-stage matchups. The Warriors’ November 26 clash with Houston has already been promoted as one of ESPN’s headline holiday broadcasts.
Coach’s Perspective
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr emphasized the significance of the tournament, both as a competitive test and as a development opportunity.
“It’s early-season basketball with late-season intensity,” Kerr said. “Our guys understand what’s at stake. It’s a chance to build momentum and compete for a trophy before the new year. And of course, the Rockets matchup — we don’t have to say much about that one.”
Fan Anticipation & Ticket Demand
Tickets for Warriors home tournament games have already seen a surge in demand, with the Rockets matchup expected to sell out within days. The added narrative of playoff revenge has created a buzz in the Bay Area, with resale prices for November 26 climbing to regular-season high levels.
Why This Matters
The Emirates NBA Cup is still a relatively new concept in the league, but its integration into the regular season has already changed the early-year competitive landscape. For the Warriors, the tournament provides a platform to prove they remain contenders, especially against the team that ended their last campaign.
In a Western Conference that grows tougher each season, every opportunity to make a statement counts. Group C’s battles will likely be among the most closely watched in the tournament, with the Warriors-Rockets clash potentially deciding who advances.
Final Word
Golden State’s 2025 Emirates NBA Cup journey will be defined not just by its matchups, but by its mindset. With a group stacked with playoff-quality opponents, the Warriors will need their championship experience to shine through from the very first game.
And while every contest will matter, there’s no escaping the shadow of November 26. That night, at Chase Center, the Warriors will get their chance to rewrite the ending that Houston wrote for them last spring. For fans, it promises drama, intensity, and possibly, a spark that could ignite the rest of Golden State’s season.