Get Ready for the Emirates NBA Cup 2024: Let the Games Begin!
Ah, the NBA Cup! A delightful collision of athletic prowess and corporate sponsorship—a bit like a game where all the players were outfitted by Nike and the referees were paid by… well, no one knows, but they’ll certainly penalize for any unsanctioned logos!
What You Need to Know
So, what do we have here? The Emirates NBA Cup 2024 is upon us, so grab that overpriced popcorn and prepare to watch world-class athletes try to convince us they care about a trophy nobody asked for!
Tonight’s Games
It’s the opening night of NBA Cup action, folks! Spoiler alert: it’s like the opening chapter of a book that you’re probably going to read just to see how the plot ruins itself.
Explainer: Group Play & Knockout Rounds
Alright, let’s break this down for all you newbies and seasoned fans alike. The NBA Cup features two key stages:
Group Play:
- All 30 teams are randomly drawn into groups of five based on their win-loss records last season. Seriously, it feels like picking teams for dodgeball. The only difference? No one’s getting hurt—well, just their egos.
- Each team will play four designated games. Two at home and two away. Pardon my naivety, but is that really a fair fight? The home crowd versus the enthralled tumbleweed of the visiting team?
Knockout Rounds:
- Eight teams advance based on their performance—six top teams from Group Play and two wildcards who apparently won the participation prize. It’s basically survival of the fittest, but with sneakers and sweatbands!
Need more clarification? Go deeper into the rabbit hole here.
Group Play Standings: The Usual Suspects
Just like in high school, or perhaps big brother’s college dorm, groups have been created, and here’s who’ll be living under the same roof for the duration of “the Cup.”
West Group A
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- LA Clippers
- Sacramento Kings
- Houston Rockets
- Portland Trail Blazers
West Group B
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Phoenix Suns
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Utah Jazz
- San Antonio Spurs
West Group C
- Denver Nuggets
- Dallas Mavericks
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Golden State Warriors
- Memphis Grizzlies
East Group A
- New York Knicks
- Orlando Magic
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Brooklyn Nets
- Charlotte Hornets
East Group B
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Indiana Pacers
- Miami Heat
- Toronto Raptors
- Detroit Pistons
East Group C
- Boston Celtics
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Chicago Bulls
- Atlanta Hawks
- Washington Wizards
Group Play Schedule: Bring Your Schedules!
The NBA Cup games shall occur on “Cup Nights,” Tuesdays and Fridays, from Nov. 12 through June (Notice the sarcasm correction!) December 3.
Knockout Round Schedule: Survival of the Fittest
The Knockout Round is where things get exciting! Here’s when it’s happening:
- Quarterfinals: Tuesday, Dec. 10 and Wednesday, Dec. 11
- Semifinals: TBA, but will surely involve high anxiety and sweat-stained shirts.
- Finals: Because everyone loves a good finale… unless it’s another reality TV show linear sequence.
NBA Cup Stat Leaders: The Stars Shine Bright
Here’s everything you need to know about the Emirates NBA Cup this year.
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Let the energetic Emirates NBA Cup 2024 festivities commence!
Below, discover the most recent updates, current standings, and a straightforward summary of how the tournament operates:
Tonight’s games
The schedule for the opening night of NBA Cup competition is set and ready for fans!
Explainer
For those unfamiliar with the NBA Cup, familiarize yourself with two key terms: Group Play and Knockout Rounds.
Group Play: All 30 teams have been randomly organized into groups of five within their respective conferences, categorized based on their won-loss records from the 2023-24 regular season. Each participating team will compete in four designated Group Play games, facing every opponent in their group—two games at home and two on the road.
Knockout Rounds: Advancing to this exhilarating stage are eight teams: the six teams with the best standings from their Group Play games, in addition to two “wild cards,” which are the teams from each conference boasting the best records in Group Play while securing second place in their respective groups. This thrilling phase follows a single-elimination format: Quarterfinals > Semifinals > Championship.
Need further clarification? Explore more details.
Groups
West Group A
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- LA Clippers
- Sacramento Kings
- Houston Rockets
- Portland Trail Blazers
West Group B
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Phoenix Suns
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Utah Jazz
- San Antonio Spurs
West Group C
- Denver Nuggets
- Dallas Mavericks
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Golden State Warriors
- Memphis Grizzlies
East Group A
- New York Knicks
- Orlando Magic
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Brooklyn Nets
- Charlotte Hornets
East Group B
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Indiana Pacers
- Miami Heat
- Toronto Raptors
- Detroit Pistons
East Group C
- Boston Celtics
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Chicago Bulls
- Atlanta Hawks
- Washington Wizards
Group Play standings
For a comprehensive breakdown of the standings, including point differentials, click here.
Group Play schedule
Group Play games will unfold on “Cup Nights,” occurring every Tuesday and Friday from November 12 to December 3. Notably, the only matches taking place on Cup Nights will be Group Play games.
Knockout Round schedule
The matchups for the highly anticipated Knockout Round will be unveiled on December 3.
Quarterfinals
- Tuesday, December 10
- Wednesday, December 11
Semifinals
Finals
Knockout Round bracket
The bracket for the eight teams will be shaped according to the results from the Group Play stage.
NBA Cup stat leaders
Wondering who will earn a spot on the All-NBA Cup Team? Stay updated on the top performers through the Cup games.
Group A
- New York Knicks
- Orlando Magic
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Brooklyn Nets
- Charlotte Hornets
East Group B
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Indiana Pacers
- Miami Heat
- Toronto Raptors
- Detroit Pistons
East Group C
- Boston Celtics
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Chicago Bulls
- Atlanta Hawks
- Washington Wizards
NBA Cup Schedule: Save the Dates!
Mark your calendars! The NBA Cup’s exciting journey unfolds during the following dates:
- Group Play: November 12 – December 3
- Quarterfinals: December 10 – 11
- Semifinals: TBA
- Finals: TBA
Keep Up with the Action!
Stay tuned for updates on game results, standout performances, and thrilling moments throughout the tournament. The NBA Cup promises a showcase of basketball talent, competition, and unforgettable memories.
For more information about matchups and live coverage, visit the official NBA Cup 2024 website and sign up for alerts.
Let the games begin! 🏀
