The NBA Cup returns this season, aiming to add excitement to the regular season schedule from November to December 17.
This revamped season tournament, now in its second year, fulfills NBA Commissioner Adam Silver‘s long-held vision to make the midseason more compelling. Featuring all 30 teams in a structured format, the NBA Cup features four team group stage matches, leading to semifinals in Las Vegas and a championship game.
Players on the winning team earn $514,971 each, while runners-up receive $205,988. Players eliminated in the semifinals and quarterfinals receive $102,994 and $51,497, respectively.
Groups and schedules
Teams are divided into East and West Groups A, B and C. Key matchups include:
East Group A: New York, Philadelphie, Orlando, Brooklyn, Charlotte
Calendar: New York at Philadelphia, Tuesday; Charlotte in Orlando, Tuesday; Brooklyn to New York, Friday; Philadelphia at Orlando, Friday; Charlotte in Brooklyn, November 19; Brooklyn at Philadelphia, November 22; New York to Charlotte, November 29; Orlando to Brooklyn, November 29; Philadelphia at Charlotte, December 3; Orlando to New York, December 3.
East Group B: Milwaukee, Indiana, Miami, Toronto, Detroit.
Calendar: Miami at Detroit, Tuesday; Toronto at Milwaukee, Tuesday; Miami at Indiana, Friday; Detroit at Toronto, Friday; Indiana at Milwaukee, November 22; Milwaukee at Miami, November 26; Toronto at Miami, November 29; Detroit at Indiana, November 29; Milwaukee at Detroit, December 3; Indiana at Toronto, December 3.East Group C: Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington.
Calendar: Atlanta at Boston, Tuesday; Chicago at Cleveland, Friday; Washington at Atlanta, Friday; Cleveland at Boston, November 19; Atlanta at Chicago, November 22; Boston to Washington, November 22; Chicago to Washington, November 26; Boston to Chicago, November 29; Cleveland at Atlanta, November 29; Washington at Cleveland, December 3.
West Group A: Minnesota, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento, Houston, Portland.
Calendar: Minnesota at Portland, Tuesday; Minnesota at Sacramento, November. 15; LA Clippers at Houston, November. 15; Sacramento at LA Clippers, November. 22; Portland to Houston, November. 22; Houston, Minnesota, November. 26; LA Clippers at Minnesota, November. 29; Sacramento to Portland, November. 29; Houston to Sacramento, December. 3; Portland at LA Clippers, December. 3.
West Group B: Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah, San Antonio.
Calendar: Phoenix at Utah, Tuesday; LA Lakers at San Antonio Friday; Phoenix at Oklahoma City, Friday; Oklahoma City to San Antonio, November. 19; Utah at LA Lakers, November. 19; LA Lakers at Phoenix, November. 26; San Antonio, Utah, November. 26; Oklahoma City vs. LA Lakers 29; Utah at Oklahoma City, December. 3; St. Louis Anthony in Phoenix, December. 3.
West Group C: Denver, Dallas, New Orleans, Golden State, Memphis.
Calendar: Dallas at Golden State, Tuesday; Denver at New Orleans, Friday; Memphis at Golden State, Friday; Denver at Memphis, November 19; New Orleans at Dallas, November 19; Dallas at Denver, November 22; Golden State at New Orleans, November 22; New Orleans at Memphis, November 29; Memphis at Dallas, December 3; Golden State at Denver, December 3.
Additional games for eliminated teams
Teams eliminated in the group stage will play two additional matches, while teams eliminated in the quarterfinals will play one additional match.
The regular season consists of 80 games for all teams. However, the tournament adds matches to the schedule, bringing the total to 82 matches for teams reaching the final. The championship game does not count toward the 82-game total.
To distinguish tournament matches from regular season matches, a new field design was introduced.
Where and when to watch
Fans can watch many NBA games every week on different channels. According to AP, TNT has national doubleheaders on Tuesday and then again on November 19, November 26 and December 3. ESPN will broadcast national doubleheaders on Friday, specifically November 22.
For fans looking for an extended basketball experience, ESPN and NBA TV will offer five games on November 29, starting at noon and ending at 10 p.m.
Alongside the national broadcasts, local channels will also broadcast the matches, as usual.
Betting Favorites
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, cited by AP, Boston is the favorite (+400), followed by Cleveland (+700) and New York (+800). The defending tournament champions, the LA Lakers, are at +1400.
(With inputs from AP)
