The NBA Cup's group stage delivers late-night fireworks on Wednesday, November 26 when the Houston Rockets invade Chase Center to face the Golden State Warriors in a 10:00 PM ET showdown that could shape early tournament positioning. This isn't just another November matchup—it's a high-stakes measuring stick for two franchises at dramatically different stages of their arcs. The Warriors, with their championship pedigree and raucous home crowd, will look to assert their dominance in the new in-season tournament format, while the Rockets arrive as the NBA's most intriguing young squad, eager to prove their meteoric rise isn't just regular-season noise.

Expect a fascinating clash of styles when these teams tip off: Golden State's veteran precision and three-point barrage against Houston's blistering transition game and fearless youth movement. With both squads jockeying for NBA Cup advancement, every possession carries extra weight in this single-elimination format precursor. The Warriors' home floor has historically been a house of horrors for visitors, but the Rockets—playing with nothing to lose and everything to prove—could turn this group play game into an early statement about the league's changing guard. Buckle up for 48 minutes where tournament implications meet old-school vs. new-school basketball drama.