The NBA has officially unveiled the dates and format for the second NBA Cup, formerly known as the In-Season Tournament, aiming to continue the momentum built from last season's inaugural event. The tournament will kick off with group-play action starting on November 12, and culminating in the semifinals and championship games in Las Vegas on December 14 and December 17, respectively.
Last season's thrilling finale saw the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Indiana Pacers 123-109, with LeBron James earning the tournament MVP honors. This year's NBA Cup continues the league’s effort to bring more excitement and significance to early-season games, both for players and fans alike.
Group Play and Format
The NBA has maintained the same format for the tournament, ensuring continuity and familiarity for the teams and spectators. All 30 NBA teams will be randomly assigned into six groups of five, based on their records from the previous season. The group draw is set to take place this Friday.
Once the groups are determined, the teams will battle it out on designated "Cup Nights," held on Tuesdays and Fridays between November 12 and December 3. Each team will play the other four teams in their assigned group once during this period, creating an intense and competitive atmosphere as they vie for a spot in the knockout stage.
Road to the Knockout Stage
After the group play concludes, the top team from each of the six groups will advance to the knockout stage. Additionally, two "wild card" teams—one from each conference with the best record in group play that finished second in their group—will join the top six, making a total of eight teams in the knockout phase. Set to commence on December 10, the knockout stage will be a high-stakes, single-elimination format, adding a layer of excitement and unpredictability to the proceedings.
The semifinals will be held in Las Vegas on December 14, setting the stage for the grand finale on December 17. As was the case last year, the winners and the runners-up will split a substantial prize money pool, providing a tangible reward for their efforts on the court.
New Logo and Sponsorship
This year, the NBA also revealed a revamped logo for the NBA Cup, incorporating the new name of the tournament along with the trophy and Emirates, the event's official sponsor. This updated visual identity aims to further establish the NBA Cup as a distinct and prestigious event in the basketball calendar.
Monetary Incentives
Last season, the financial rewards were significant, with each player on the victorious Lakers team receiving $500,000, while the Pacers players took home $200,000 as the runners-up. These monetary incentives are intended to boost the competitive spirit and engagement among the participants, ensuring that the games are treated with the importance they deserve.
The introduction of the NBA Cup last season was met with enthusiasm, as it successfully increased interest and competitiveness in the early part of the NBA schedule. With the structure and incentives in place, the league is optimistic that the second iteration will build upon this foundation, offering fans and players alike another compelling chapter in the NBA's storied history.