With the NBA regular season finally tipping off last week, the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup has arrived, as well. The in-season tournament is still a relatively new construct, though, so we’ve put together a refresher as the latest edition gets underway.
So without further ado, here is everything you need to know before the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup tips off:
What is the Emirates NBA Cup?
Back in 2023, the NBA introduced its first-ever midseason tournament in an effort to bring more stakes to regular season games. The WNBA had tested out the concept with the Commissioner’s Cup starting in 2021, with the COVID-19 pandemic delaying its debut from 2020.
All 30 NBA teams have been randomly divided into six groups of five teams – three groups per conference. Those five teams will play each other in a round robin tournament, with every team playing their group-mates once apiece. Two of their games will be at home, while two will be on the road. From there, the six group winners will advance to the single-elimination quarterfinals. One wild card will advance from each conference, as well. When it comes to determining group winners and wild cards, head-to-head record is the first tiebreaker. Point differential is the next deciding factor, followed by total points scored.
After the top group winners host the quarterfinals, the semifinals and finals will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The venue was also the site for the 2023 and 2024 NBA Cup semifinals and finals. Starting in 2026, however, higher seeds will host semifinals and only the finals will be at a neutral site. The Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural In-Season Tournament in 2023, while the Milwaukee Bucks won the freshly rebranded NBA Cup in 2024.
Group play starts October 31 and runs through November 28. The majority of games will take place on Fridays. All games that are part of NBA Cup competition will also count towards regular season standings, besides the championship game on December 16.
How do I watch the 2025 NBA Cup?
Group play for the 2025 NBA Cup will be broadcast and streamed on various channels and services, including standard local partners. The Boston Celtics’ game against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Lakers’ showdown with the Memphis Grizzlies this Friday will air on Amazon Prime Video, standing alone as the only nationally televised contests on the opening day of group play. Amazon Prime Video will also carry a handful of Friday games in the ensuing weeks, but the Tuesday and Wednesday games leading up to Thanksgiving will be split between ESPN, NBC and Peacock.
Once the knockout stage begins, Amazon Prime Video will be the streaming home for all NBA Cup games. That will stay true from the quarterfinals through the championship game.
If you are ever uncertain about if a game you are watching is part of NBA Cup play or not, just look at the court. Every team has unveiled court designs that will exclusively be used for NBA Cup competition, most of which are bright and far more colorful than normal. Home teams will wear their Statement uniforms, while road teams will wear their Association uniforms.
2025 NBA Cup Groups
East A
- Atlanta Hawks
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Indiana Pacers
- Toronto Raptors
- Washington Wizards
East B
- Boston Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets
- Detroit Pistons
- Orlando Magic
- Philadelphia 76ers
East C
- Charlotte Hornets
- Chicago Bulls
- Miami Heat
- Milwaukee Bucks
- New York Knicks
West A
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Phoenix Suns
- Sacramento Kings
- Utah Jazz
West B
- Dallas Mavericks
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Memphis Grizzlies
- New Orleans Pelicans
West C
- Denver Nuggets
- Golden State Warriors
- Houston Rockets
- Portland Trailblazers
- San Antonio Spurs
