The second season of the NBA Cup is set to kick off on Tuesday night and will continue until December 17. Originally introduced last year as the In-Season Tournament, this event was established following NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s vision to add an exciting element to the regular season. All 30 NBA teams are participating, with each team set to play four group-stage games.
After the group stages, eight teams will progress to the quarterfinals, with the winners advancing to the semifinals in Las Vegas on December 14. Notably, all games played in the tournament, except for the championship, will be included in the regular-season standings and statistics. The final match of the tournament, however, is categorized as an additional game, separate from the 82-game season total for the participating teams.
What’s on the line for the teams? Beyond bragging rights, the winners will receive a trophy and financial rewards. Players on the championship team will earn $514,971 each, while runners-up will receive $205,988. Players from teams eliminated in the semifinals will take home $102,994, and those who lose in the quarterfinals will earn $51,497.
The tournament features various groups as follows:
East Group A: New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and Charlotte
East Group B: Milwaukee, Indiana, Miami, Toronto, and Detroit
East Group C: Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington
West Group A: Minnesota, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento, Houston, and Portland
West Group B: Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah, and San Antonio
West Group C: Denver, Dallas, New Orleans, Golden State, and Memphis
The tournament’s schedule includes matchups taking place over various days, ensuring teams have competitive games throughout the group stage.
For teams eliminated from group play, two additional regular-season games will be scheduled, and those exiting in the quarterfinals will have one extra game added to their schedule. It’s important to note that while not all games over the next month are tournament-related, each will feature unique and distinctive courts marking it as an NBA Cup matchup.
Among the favorites according to BetMGM Sportsbook, the reigning champion Boston Celtics have the best odds at +400, with Cleveland at +700, New York at +800, and a group of teams including Oklahoma City, Minnesota, Denver, and Golden State each at +1200. The defending tournament champion, the Los Angeles Lakers, sits at +1400.
Fans can catch the action on TNT, with national doubleheaders on select Tuesdays and Fridays, while local broadcasts will also be available.
As the NBA Cup unfolds, it promises to bring thrilling basketball moments, highlight emerging talents, and amplify the excitement of the regular season, offering teams and fans alike a renewed sense of competition and community.