The Rockets and Warriors will enter tonight’s NBA Cup matchup with identical 1-2 records in West Group play. Houston arrives carrying far better overall momentum at 11-4 with a dominant Sunday win over the Phoenix Suns. Kevin Durant was not on the team roster for the game. Now the Rockets will face another of Durant’s former franchises, the Warriors. As both teams are fighting to stay alive in the NBA Cup race, the biggest question hanging over the night is simple: will Kevin Durant finally return to the court tonight?

Is Kevin Durant playing tonight? 

Unsurprisingly, ESPN‘s Shams Charania had already confirmed that Kevin Durant will miss both the Rockets’ games against the Suns and tonight’s NBA Cup matchup against the Warriors. But his absence won’t be due to injury; the reason for his non-participation was listed as ‘a personal family matter.’

His absence will be strongly felt as tonight’s game carries Cup-elimination stakes. Houston sits fourth in the Western Conference, while the Warriors are in eighth. A loss tonight would almost certainly knock them out of contention.

Despite Durant missing the Rockets’ November 23 win over the Suns, the team stepped up impressively in his place. Amen Thompson delivered one of the best games of his young career with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists.

On the season, Durant has been averaging around 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. It is a level of production that makes his performance significant in a must-win Cup game. Without him, Houston loses its most experienced scorer in this setting.

Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Injury Report

Houston Rockets Injury List

Here is the list of injury reports for the Rockets.

1. Steven Adams is out with an ankle injury and has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Warriors.
2. Dorian Finney-Smith is also out as he continues to recover from an ankle issue.
3. Tari Eason is out with a hip injury and is expected to miss four to six weeks.
4. Fred VanVleet is out long-term after suffering a torn ACL and may miss the entire 2025-26 season.

Golden State Warriors Injury List

The Warriors also have major playmakers and rotational pieces on the list tonight.

1. Draymond Green is listed as probable with a foot injury and is expected to play unless he suffers a setback.
2. Alex Toohey is available after clearing the injury report following a knee issue.
3. Al Horford is out as he continues to deal with sciatica and will miss at least three games.
4. Jonathan Kuminga is out with a knee injury and has no clear timetable for return after limited practice participation.
5. De’Anthony Melton remains out with a knee injury and will be re-evaluated in approximately 10 days.

Predicted Starting Lineups: Rockets vs. Warriors

Where to Watch & Game Info – Rockets vs. Warriors

Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Time: 10:00 PM ET

Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco, California

Broadcast: The game will air nationally on ESPN. In the Bay Area, local viewers can watch on NBC Sports Bay Area.

Streaming: Fans can stream the matchup on the NBA App and NBA League Pass. Cord-cutters can also access the game on Fubo, depending on regional availability and blackout rules.

Game Preview & Prediction – Rockets vs. Warriors

So far the Rockets have been strong in conference games, going 4-3. Their average is 122.3 points per game, outscoring their opponents by 11.2 points. Houston currently shoots 48.5% from the field, which is slightly better than the 47.2% of their opponents’ average. Jabari Smith Jr. has been leading the way with 15.1 points per game at 44.8% shooting.

The Warriors, meanwhile, are 9-5 in Western Conference play and sit fourth in the conference. Looking at recent form, the Rockets have been in better shape. They are going 8-2 over their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Warriors are 5-5 over the same stretch of 10 games. Our prediction is the Rockets win a tight game to keep their NBA Cup hopes alive.