Over the course of an 82-game regular season, it can be tough to keep the stakes high.
But the NBA found a way to solve that issue last season, bringing fans a new in-season tournament that kept players hungry for hardware, cash prizes and — if they’re so inclined — a banner.
The Los Angeles Lakers took home the inaugural trophy when they downed the Indiana Pacers in Las Vegas last December. And if you think players didn’t take it seriously, tell that to MVP LeBron James, who averaged 26.4 points, eight rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.6 steals on 56.8 per cent shooting from the field and 60.6 per cent shooting from three in seven tournament contests last year.
It may not have the glitz and glamour that comes with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, but if you’re looking for determined and meaningful hoops at this point in the NBA calendar, then you’ve come to the right place. And if you’re looking for cool courts and jerseys, you’ve also come to the right place.
Still, it’s been a while since we last witnessed the in-season tournament, and the format might’ve been a bit confusing the first time around. So before the festivities tip off on Tuesday, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the second edition of what’s now known as the NBA Cup. We’ll also include some predictions and odds for the outcomes of the group stage and knockout stage.
What is the NBA Cup?
The NBA Cup is the league’s annual in-season tournament, where all 30 teams compete for a chance to win another championship and a cash prize. It’s designed to garner intrigue for the early part of the regular season and turn ordinary games into more competitive contests.
When does the NBA Cup start?
Group-stage games will be played from Tuesday, Nov. 12, to Tuesday, Dec. 3. Tuesdays and Fridays in that time are reserved for NBA Cup group-stage play.
The knockout stage, which consists of single-elimination games, will run from Dec. 10 to Dec. 17:
• Quarterfinals (Dec. 10-11)
• Semifinals (Dec. 14)
• Finals (Dec. 17)
Quarterfinal games will be played on the home court of the higher-seeded team. The semifinals and finals will take place in Las Vegas.
How does group play work?
All 30 teams have been slotted into six groups of five depending on their conference and records from the 2023-24 season. Every team will play four group-stage games — one against each of the four teams in their group, including two at home and two on the road.
What are the groups for the NBA Cup and who are the favourites?
There are three groups of five in both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
Odds displayed show the favourite to win each group. All odds courtesy of BetMGM
East Group A
• New York Knicks (1.83)
• Orlando Magic (5.50)
• Philadelphia 76ers (4.25)
• Brooklyn Nets (17.00)
• Charlotte Hornets (11.00)
East Group B
• Milwaukee Bucks (2.65)
• Indiana Pacers (3.25)
• Miami Heat (3.75)
• Toronto Raptors (17.00)
• Detroit Pistons (11.00)
East Group C
• Boston Celtics (1.91)
• Cleveland Cavaliers (2.15)
• Chicago Bulls (21.00)
• Atlanta Hawks (19.00)
• Washington Wizards (41.00)
West Group A
• Minnesota Timberwolves (2.75)
• Los Angeles Clippers (4.75)
• Sacramento Kings (4.25)
• Houston Rockets (3.75)
• Portland Trail Blazers (31.00)
West Group B (No odds available)
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• Phoenix Suns
• Los Angeles Lakers
• Utah Jazz
• San Antonio Spurs
West Group C
• Denver Nuggets (4.00)
• Dallas Mavericks (2.75)
• New Orleans Pelicans (11.00)
• Golden State Warriors (3.75)
• Memphis Grizzlies (7.00)
How do teams advance to the knockout stage?
The winning team from each group earns an automatic berth into the knockout stage, with the final two spots given to wild-card teams. Wild cards are handed to the team in each conference that finished with the best record outside of group winners.
In the event that two teams are knotted for the top spot, the tie will be broken according to the following tiebreakers (in order):
• Head-to-head record in group play
• Point differential in group play *
• Total points scored in group play *
• Record from 2023-24 regular season
• Random drawing
* Overtime scoring does not count toward point totals or point differential
Additionally, should two potential wild-card teams finish with the same record, the same tie-breaking format will be applied, other than head-to-head record.
In the knockout stage, teams will be seeded based on group-stage records. The two teams in each conference with the best records will host the quarterfinal games.
Do the games count toward regular season standings?
All group-stage and knockout-stage quarterfinal and semifinal games count toward the regular-season standings. However, the NBA Cup Final does not count toward the standings.
What prize will teams be playing for?
Other than the glory of an NBA Cup victory, every player on the winning team will receive $500,000 U.S.
Additionally, every player on the runner-up team will receive $200,000, every player on the third- and fourth-place teams will receive $100,000 and every player on the fifth- through eighth-place teams will receive $50,000.
Who is the favourite to win the NBA Cup?
The Boston Celtics are the favourite to win the NBA Cup outright at 5.25. Next up are the Oklahoma City Thunder at 6.50, the New York Knicks at 9.00, the Cleveland Cavaliers at 9.00 and the Golden State Warriors at 13.00.
All odds courtesy of Bet MGM
When will we see the new courts and jerseys?
In case you need more incentive than just watching high-stakes basketball, the NBA Cup will also give teams the chance to showcase some special edition jerseys and courts.
Here’s a look at the courts you’ll see over the course of the tournament:
As for the jerseys, the NBA has yet to officially release the new city edition looks, so fans will get their first taste of the fresh threads on opening night of the NBA Cup.
Secret footnote: City Edition jerseys leaked onto social media in September, so here’s a look at what may be in store in the coming weeks.
Predictions for the NBA Cup
What’s high-stakes basketball without some high stakes of our own? Here are some quick predictions for the outcome of the NBA Cup.
East Group A winner: New York Knicks
East Group B winner: Indiana Pacers
East Group C winner: Cleveland Cavaliers
West Group A winner: Sacramento Kings
West Group B winner: Oklahoma City Thunder
West Group C winner: Golden State Warriors
Wild Cards: Boston Celtics (East), Phoenix Suns (West)
Finals: Suns def. Cavaliers
