Nuggets Catch Big Break Before Warriors Game With Steph Curry Update
The Denver Nuggets have won two consecutive games to improve to 5-2 on the season, but one of their losses came in an NBA Cup matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers. Another loss in NBA Cup group play would practically eliminate the Nuggets from moving onto the elimination stage, so Friday's matchup against the Golden State Warriors has some stakes to it.
Luckily for Denver, they are seemingly catching a break in this NBA Cup matchup with the Warriors.
Warriors superstar point guard Steph Curry is set to miss his second consecutive game with an illness.
Steph Curry will not play tomorrow against the Nuggets in Denver. Remains out with an illness. Symptoms worsened yesterday. Jimmy Butler is questionable to return. Draymond Green is probable.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 6, 2025
Curry was feeling sick during the Warriors' win over the Phoenix Suns, which caused him to miss the second night of their back-to-back against the Sacramento Kings, and the Warriors ultimately picked up a loss with him sidelined. Now, he is set to be out again, giving the Nuggets a significant advantage.
Nuggets' health advantage over Warriors
The Nuggets have been one of the healthiest teams in the NBA, as nobody in their regular nine-man rotation has missed a game at any point this season. The Warriors, on the other hand, have Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green all listed on their injury report for Friday's game in Denver after the star trio were sidelined for their last contest on Wednesday.
While Green is listed as probable and is expected to play, Butler is on the fence with a questionable tag due to a low back strain. If the Warriors have to play without Curry and Butler on Friday night, then there would be no excuse for the Nuggets not to pick up a much-needed win.
How Curry's absence impacts the game
In Denver's season opener, they suffered a crushing loss to the Warriors, backed by an explosive 42-point outing from Curry on 8-13 shooting from the field. Without the constant threat of Curry that the Nuggets would typically have to worry about, they will have much more defensive freedom, which should lead to more success on the offensive end as well.
Stephen Curry put on a SHOW vs. the Nuggets last time they met 🔥
42 PTS | 6 REB | 7 AST | 6 3PM
What’s he got cooking for the rematch? pic.twitter.com/WYSceSzS8a— NBA (@NBA) November 6, 2025
So far this season, Curry is proving that age does not matter for certain NBA superstars. The 37-year-old is now in year 17, and he has scored 23+ points in six of their eight games. Of course, with him sidelined, Golden State's offense takes a significant hit, as they instead have to turn to players like Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga to take on more responsibility.
The Nuggets are set to host the Curry-less Warriors for an NBA Cup matchup in Denver on Friday at 8:00 p.m. MT. Sure, fans would love to see a battle between Nikola Jokic and Steph Curry, but his absence gives the Nuggets a clear opportunity to get revenge from opening night.
Drake Maye leads Patriots against Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers in a matchup of division leaders
New England (7-2) at Tampa Bay (6-2)
Sunday 1 p.m. EST, CBS
BetMGM NFL Odds: Buccaneers by 2 1/2
Against the spread: Patriots 6-3; Tampa Bay 5-3.
Series record: Patriots lead 7-3
Last meeting: Buccaneers beat Patriots 19-17 in Foxborough, Mass. on Oct. 3, 2021.
Last week: Patriots beat Atlanta 24-23 at home. Buccaneers beat New Orleans 23-3 on the road on Oct. 26.
Patriots offense: overall (12), rush (17), pass (9), scoring (7).
Patriots defense: overall (9), rush (1), pass (19), scoring (6).
Buccaneers offense: overall (17), rush (24), pass (13), scoring (15).
Buccaneers defense: overall (15), rush (7), pass (22), scoring (13t).
Turnover differential: Patriots even; Buccaneers plus-7.
Patriots player to watch
QB Drake Maye. The second-year quarterback is coming off his eighth straight game with a 100-plus passer rating. That is tied for the team record alongside Tom Brady, who had streaks of eight games in 2007 and 2010. With a ninth game this week, Maye can join Peyton Manning (nine in 2004, and Aaron Rodgers (12 in 2011) as the only players with streaks of nine games or more.
Buccaneers player to watch
WR Emeka Egbuka. The rookie wide receiver was off to a sensational start before a hamstring injury slowed him down over the past 2 1/2 games. Coming off a bye, Egbuka is healthy and ready to go. He has 34 receptions for 562 yards and five touchdowns.
Key matchup
Patriots defense vs. Buccaneers rushing attack. The Patriots have the NFL’s top-ranked run defense, allowing only 75.4 yards per game. New England also is the only team in the league this season not to allow an opposing running back to rush for 50 yards. It was just two games ago that Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield attempted a season-high 50 passes in a game in which Tampa Bay gained only 41 yards on the ground. That will have to change if the Bucs want to keep New England from making them one-dimensional.
Key injuries
Patriots: RB Rhamondre Stevenson (toe), WR Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), C Garrett Bradbury (hip), LB Christian Elliss and DL Joshua Farmer (ankle) all sat out the first practice of the week.
Buccaneers: RB Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder), WR Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula), OLB Haason Reddick (knee, ankle) and RT Luke Goedeke aren’t expected to return. RG Luke Haggard (should) could be back. WR Mike Evans (clavicle) is out.
Series notes
The previous time these teams met, Tom Brady returned to Gillette Stadium to face the Patriots for the first time after joining the Buccaneers and leading them to a Super Bowl title. Brady and the Bucs won on Oct. 3, 2021.
Stats and stuff
The Patriots have won six straight games. A victory this week will match their longest win streak since 2021. ... New England is 4-0 on the road this season. The Patriots and Seattle Seahawks (4-0) are the only NFL teams unbeaten on the road this season. ... WR Stefon Diggs leads the team with 45 catches for 508 yards. ... WR Kayshon Boutte’s 18.7-yard receiving average is second in the NFL to Indianapolis WR Alec Pierce (20.9). ... WR DeMario Douglas is coming of the first 100-yard receiving game of his career last week against Atlanta. It included a career-long 58-yard catch. ... The Buccaneers have started 6-2 for the fifth time in team history and for the third time since 2020. ... The Bucs had five sacks, four takeaways and allowed just three points in Week 8. ... RB Rachaad White has 287 yards rushing and 4 TDs. ... LB Anthony Nelson had two sacks, a forced fumble and interception return for a score in his first start in Week 8. ... Rookie CB Jacob Parrish has two sacks. ... LB Lavonte David is one of only three NFL players to have 30-plus forced fumbles and 20-plus defensive fumble recoveries. ... K Chase McLaughlin is 8-for-8 on field goals of 50-plus yards.
