NBA Cup Begins: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

The NBA’s second annual in-season tournament, now officially known as the Emirates NBA Cup, is set to tip off with eight games on Tuesday, marking the start of group play. The league hopes this tournament will become a highly anticipated autumn tradition.

Here’s your comprehensive guide to understanding the tournament format, schedule, and unique features.

NBA Cup Format

The 30 NBA teams have been divided into six groups of five, with three groups from each conference. Group play involves each team facing every other team in its group once. Once the group matches conclude, the six group winners along with one wild card team per conference will advance to the knockout stage. The knockout rounds are single-elimination, with the quarterfinals hosted at home venues and the semifinals and final set to take place in Las Vegas.

Advancement Criteria

• Group Winner Determination: The team with the best record in each group moves forward.
• Tiebreakers:
  1. Head-to-head record in group play.
  2. Point differential in group play.
  3. Total points scored in group play.
  4. Record from the 2023-24 regular season.
  5. Random drawing, if necessary.

Note: Conferences are kept separate until the finals, ensuring that teams only play within their own conference in the quarterfinals and semifinals.

Key Dates and Schedule

• Group Play: Games will be held on Tuesdays and Fridays from Nov. 12 to Dec. 6.
• Quarterfinals: Dec. 10 and 11 at home venues.
• Semifinals: Dec. 14 in Las Vegas.
• Championship: Dec. 17 in Las Vegas.

For teams not advancing to the knockout stage, two additional regular-season games will be scheduled on Dec. 12 or 13 and Dec. 15 or 16. Teams eliminated in the quarterfinals will play one more game during that span.

First Night of NBA Cup Games (Nov. 12)

• Celtics vs. Hawks, 7 p.m. ET
• Pistons vs. Heat, 7 p.m. ET
• Magic vs. Hornets, 7 p.m. ET
• 76ers vs. Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Bucks vs. Raptors, 8 p.m. ET
• Jazz vs. Suns, 9 p.m. ET
• Warriors vs. Mavericks, 10 p.m. ET
• Trail Blazers vs. Timberwolves, 10 p.m. ET

What’s New This Year?

The tournament has undergone a rebranding and is now called the Emirates NBA Cup. Additionally, the court designs have been updated. While last year’s version featured a runway stripe across the middle, the 2024 edition will display concentric circles in varying shades at center court. Each court will still showcase the tournament’s trophy and feature the home team’s primary colors.

Tournament Prizes

• Winning Team: Players receive a $500,000 bonus each.
• Runner-Up: Players earn a $200,000 bonus.
• Semifinal Losers: Players receive $100,000 each.
• Quarterfinal Losers: Players earn $50,000 each.

A media vote following the championship game will select the tournament MVP and an All-Tournament Team, ensuring standout performances are recognized.