NBA Game Preview: Golden State Warriors (11-11) vs. Philadelphia Sixers (11-9)

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The Golden State Warriors (11-11) face the Philadelphia 76ers (11-9) in a crucial cross-conference matchup. Both teams are mired in the middle of their respective conference standings, with Golden State clinging to the No. 8 spot in the West and Philadelphia holding down the No. 9 position in the East. This game marks the start of a three-game East Coast road trip for the Warriors, who are coming off a disheartening 124-112 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. The 76ers, meanwhile, are riding a wave of momentum after a convincing 121-102 dismantling of the Washington Wizards on the same night, snapping a mini-slump. With injuries ravaging both rosters—especially the absence of superstar guards Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid—this contest could hinge on depth, perimeter shooting, and defensive grit in a battle of two franchises known for their star power.

Venue Location

The game will tip off at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This state-of-the-art venue, which opened in 2023 as a rebranded upgrade to the Wells Fargo Center, seats 21,000 fans and features advanced LED lighting, premium club seating, and enhanced fan experiences like the Xfinity Live! entertainment district adjacent to the arena. It’s the home of the 76ers and has hosted iconic moments, including Philadelphia’s playoff runs in recent years.

Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)

Broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area (Warriors local), NBC Sports Philadelphia (Sixers local), NBA TV (national), and streaming on Fubo (regional restrictions apply). NBA League Pass subscribers can access out-of-market coverage.

Injury Report

Both teams are dealing with significant injury concerns, particularly in their star-heavy lineups, which could lead to unpredictable rotations and a focus on bench production. Here’s a breakdown based on the latest updates as of Wednesday evening:

TeamPlayerPositionStatusInjury Details
WarriorsStephen CurryPGOutLeft quadriceps contusion; expected to miss at least three more games, including this one. Won’t travel with the team.
WarriorsDe’Anthony MeltonSGOutKnee (torn ACL recovery); season debut expected soon but not confirmed for Thursday.
WarriorsJimmy ButlerSFQuestionableLeft knee soreness; exited Tuesday’s game early but not considered serious.
WarriorsAl HorfordCQuestionableSciatica (back); missed multiple recent games.
WarriorsJonathan KumingaPFQuestionableLeft ankle sprain; recently returned from knee tendinitis but now dealing with this.
WarriorsTrayce Jackson-DavisCQuestionableRight knee injury; limited minutes lately.
WarriorsQuinten PostPFQuestionableLeft ankle sprain; in and out of rotation.
WarriorsAlex TooheySGOutKnee injury management.
76ersJoel EmbiidCDoubtfulLeft/right knee injury recovery; missed Tuesday’s game and unlikely to play back-to-back. Only seven games played this season.
76ersKelly Oubre Jr.SGOutLeft knee sprain; sidelined at least two weeks.
76ersTrendon WatfordPFOutLeft thigh (adductor strain); re-evaluation in two weeks.
76ersPaul GeorgeSFQuestionableLeft knee injury recovery; played Tuesday but listed due to ongoing management.
76ersQuentin GrimesSGQuestionableRight calf tightness; missed Tuesday’s game.

The Warriors could be without up to seven rotation players, forcing reliance on Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody. Philadelphia’s frontcourt depth takes a hit without Embiid, likely elevating Andre Drummond to a starting role alongside rookies like VJ Edgecombe.

Player Matchups

Without Curry and potentially Embiid, the spotlight shifts to emerging stars and veterans. Here are three key individual battles that could swing the game:

Tyrese Maxey (76ers) vs. Warriors Backcourt (Podziemski/Moody)
Maxey, Philadelphia’s explosive point guard, is a walking bucket this season, averaging 35.0 points over his last 10 games (13-26 FG, 4-9 3PT in Tuesday’s win). He’s third in the league with 3.8 threes per game and a steals leader at 2.1 SPG. Without Curry, the Warriors’ perimeter defense falls to Podziemski (14.5 PPG in Curry’s absence) and Moody, but Maxey’s quickness and off-ball movement could exploit their inexperience. Edge: Maxey—expect him to feast for 30+ points if he gets to the line early.

Paul George (76ers) vs. Jimmy Butler (Warriors) (If Both Play)
This veteran wing clash pits two elite two-way forwards. George (questionable) averages 14.0 PPG and 4.8 RPG in limited action this year, with a 41.4% FG clip, but his 3.4 APG shows playmaking savvy. Butler (questionable) brings 19.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 5.0 APG, plus 1.6 SPG, thriving in isolation (37 MPG Tuesday before exiting). In 22 career head-to-heads, George edges Butler slightly (19.9 PPG vs. 18.7 PPG), but Butler’s physicality could wear down a rusty PG. Edge: Butler—if active, his aggression tips the scales.

Draymond Green (Warriors) vs. Andre Drummond (76ers)
Green’s defensive anchor role (6.1 RPG, elite help D) meets Drummond’s rebounding prowess (12.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG Tuesday). Without Embiid, Drummond starts at center, but Green’s switchability and passing (5.1 APG) could disrupt Philly’s half-court sets. Drummond dominates the glass (+8 rebound margin in recent starts), but Green’s IQ often neutralizes bigs. Edge: Green—his versatility shines in a small-ball era.

Team Records

Both squads are hovering around .500, reflecting inconsistent starts amid injuries and roster tweaks. The Warriors’ 11-11 mark includes a strong 7-3 home record but a dismal 4-8 on the road, where they’ve been outscored by 3.1 PPG. Philadelphia’s 11-9 ledger features a balanced 6-6 at home and 5-3 away, with a +0.3 point differential league-wide (15th in offensive rating, 18th in defensive).

Recent Team Forms

The Warriors have been middling in their last 10 games (5-5), averaging 113.0 PPG while allowing 113.5 (negative -0.5 differential). They’ve leaned on three-point volume (16.0 made per game, 1st in NBA) but struggle with turnovers (13.4 per game, 10th-most forced). Wins over the Pelicans (104-96) and Rockets (134-117) highlight their upside, but losses to the Clippers (104-100) and Thunder expose road woes.

The 76ers are also 5-5 in their last 10, posting 114.2 PPG but yielding 117.5 (negative -3.3 differential). They’ve been resilient without Embiid, winning four of six home games, but rank 18th in APG (25.3). Tuesday’s blowout over Washington (Maxey’s 35 points) ended a two-game skid, including a 41-point drubbing by the Knicks.

Last 10 GamesRecordPPGOPP PPGKey WinKey Loss
Warriors5-5113.0113.5vs. Pelicans (104-96)@ Thunder (112-124)
76ers5-5114.2117.5vs. Wizards (121-102)@ Knicks (-41)

Series History

The Warriors hold a slight all-time edge in regular-season meetings (158-171 overall since 1946), but recent history favors Golden State. In the last five encounters (spanning 2023-25), the Warriors are 3-2, outscoring Philly by an average of +9.2 PPG. Highlights include Curry’s 30-point explosion in a 139-105 rout on January 2, 2025. At Xfinity Mobile Arena, it’s closer: Sixers 4-3 in the last seven home games vs. GSW.

DateResultScoreKey Performer
Mar. 2, 2025PHI Win126-119Embiid: 28 PTS, 12 REB
Jan. 3, 2025GSW Win139-105Curry: 30 PTS, 8 3PM
Feb. 8, 2024GSW Win127-104Thompson: 27 PTS
Jan. 31, 2024GSW Win119-107Curry: 23 PTS, 7 AST
Mar. 25, 2023GSW Win120-112Green: Triple-Double

Betting Trends

The Sixers are 12-8 ATS this season (60%) and 5-2 ATS as 4+ point favorites. Golden State is 10-12 ATS (45.5%), failing to cover in all four games as 4+ underdogs. Overs have hit in 14 of 22 Warriors games (63.6%) and 11 of 20 Sixers contests (55%). Head-to-head, the last five averaged 238.6 points (Over in 4/5).

Trends: 76ers 6-4 ATS last 10 home; Warriors 3-7 ATS last 10 road.

Game Odds

Golden State Warriors                   222.5

Philadelphia Sixers                         – 3.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 3, 2025