After taking place as the “NBA In-Season Tournament” last year, the second annual mid-season competition has been rebranded to the Emirates NBA Cup. Let’s break down the basics about this competition.
When does it start?
The Emirates NBA Cup tips off Tuesday, November 12 and will conclude on Tuesday, December 17 in Las Vegas. “Cup Nights” will take place every Tuesday and Friday from the beginning of the tournament until Dec. 3, specifically dedicated to the competition.
Cup games will also be marked by special courts, which DraftKings Network’s Zach Thompson ranked from No. 30 all the way to No. 1! Check out his rankings here.
Find the full 2024 Emirates NBA Cup schedule here!
How does each round work?
Every team in the association was drawn randomly into groups of five within their conference based on record from the 2023-24 regular season. This initial stage is called Group Play. Each team will play their four group opponents once. At the conclusion of this stage, eight teams will move onto the Knockout Rounds, the winner of all six groups and two wild cards with the next best Group Play records.
The Knockout Rounds are just like any other single elimination bracket, with all eight teams competing for the NBA Cup trophy and a prize pool, starting with the Quarterfinals and concluding with the Championship.
Place your Emirates NBA Cup bets on DraftKings Sportsbook here!
Do NBA Cup games count towards the actual standings?
Yes! All 67 games across Group Play and the Knockout Rounds of the NBA Cup will count toward the regular-season standings, except for the Championship.
What are the 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
Are there specific Emirates NBA Cup awards?
Yes. Most Valuable Player of the entire competition and an All-Tournament Team will be announced following the conclusion of the Emirates NBA Cup.
