The Denver Nuggets managed to overcome the loss of Aaron Gordon in the first half and beat the Houston Rockets on the road at the Toyota Center on Friday in an NBA Cup game.
Nuggets star Nikola Jokić nearly produced a triple-double with 34 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Jamal Murray contributed to the victory with 26 points and 10 assists for Denver.
The Rockets held a three-point lead at halftime after a strong scoring performance from Reed Sheppard in the first half. The 2024 first-round pick scored 20 points. Sheppard was limited in the second half to just seven points, though.
Amen Thompson had 22 points and seven rebounds in the loss.
The two Western Conference teams have been tabbed by NBA experts as the teams most likely to challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Western Conference crown this season.
Here’s how Friday’s NBA Cup game between the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets played out:
Nuggets-Rockets highlights
Final: Nuggets 112, Rockets 109
Jabari Smith Jr. scored a 3-pointer with 5.5 seconds left on the clock to cut into the Nuggets’ lead and make it a 1-point game at 110-109.
Smith fouled out of the game moments later on the Nuggets’ next possession. Jokić was sent to the foul line, where he managed to put the game away for the Nuggets.
3Q: Nuggets 80, Rockets 78
The Nuggets managed to keep pace with the Rockets, outscoring them 34-29 in the third quarter. Nikola Jokić has 28 points, nine rebounds and six assists in 27 minutes of action through three quarters of play. Jamal Murray has 12 points and eight assists.
Reed Sheppard scored just four points in the third quarter after 20 in the first half. Jabari Smith Jr. has 12 points and seven rebounds for the Rockets.
Aaron Gordon out for game
The Nuggets announced that Aaron Gordon suffered a right hamstring strain in the first half and he has been ruled out for the second half.
Halftime: Rockets 49, Nuggets 46
The Rockets outscored the Nuggets 37-21 in the second quarter to take the lead at halftime.
Reed Sheppard scored 20 points in the first half for Houston. Nikola Jokić was held to just three points in the second quarter for the Nuggets.
1Q: Nuggets 25, Rockets 12
Nikola Jokić had seven points and seven rebounds for the Nuggets in the opening quarter. Peyton Watson and Jamal Murray each scored five points. Kevin Durant had six of the Rockets’ 12 points.
Nuggets lead Rockets early
The Nuggets built up a 16-8 lead with 3:50 left in the first quarter. Jamal Murray has five points for Denver.
Rockets starting lineup vs. Nuggets
Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams, Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant made up the starting lineup for the Rockets.
Nuggets starting lineup vs. Rockets
Jamal Murray, Cam Johnson, Peyton Watson, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokić started for the Nuggets.
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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