The NBA has officially announced the dates and format for the second annual NBA Cup, previously known as the In-Season Tournament. This year’s edition is set to deliver an electrifying start to the season, encapsulating the spirit of competition with a series of high-stakes games early in the NBA calendar.
Group Play Format
The tournament will begin with group play that starts on November 12 and concludes with the semifinals and the championship game scheduled in Las Vegas on December 14 and December 17, respectively. The format mirrors that of the previous season, where all 30 NBA teams are assigned into six groups of five, based on their records from the prior season. This draw is scheduled to take place this Friday.
Teams will engage in group play on designated "Cup Nights," occurring on Tuesdays and Fridays between November 12 and December 3. Each team will face off against the other four teams in their allotted group once during this phase. The top teams from each of the six groups will advance to the knockout stage. Additionally, two "wild card" teams from each conference, which possess the best records in group play but finished second in their respective groups, will also make it to the knockout phase.
Knockout Stage Excitement
The knockout stage, commencing on December 10, will follow a single-elimination format. The eight slated teams will battle fiercely, culminating in the semifinals on December 14 in Las Vegas. The championship game will decide the ultimate victor on December 17. Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers triumphed with a commanding 123-109 win over the Indiana Pacers, drawing significant attention to the final showdown. LeBron James earned MVP honors for his instrumental role in the Lakers' victory.
Prize and Prestige
The tournament presents a substantial prize pool, creating additional incentive for teams and players. Last year, winning Lakers players pocketed $500,000 each, while the Pacers, as runners-up, received $200,000 each. This financial boon underscores the competitive spirit and prestige associated with the NBA Cup. The league is confident that this added incentive will maintain high levels of competitiveness and engagement throughout the tournament.
New Logo Unveiled
This year, the NBA has also introduced a revamped logo for the NBA Cup, incorporating the name of the tournament, the trophy, and its official sponsor, Emirates. This new branding aligns with the league’s efforts to elevate the profile and excitement surrounding the NBA Cup, adding a fresh visual identity to the competition.
Building on Success
Last season’s NBA Cup brought a new level of excitement and significance to early-season games, providing fans with high-stakes matchups much earlier in the schedule than usual. The league hopes that this year’s tournament will build upon the foundation set by last year's success. By maintaining the same format and group play structure, the NBA aims to sustain and even boost the interest and competitiveness that the tournament has injected into the early part of the season.
As teams and fans eagerly await the group draw this Friday, anticipation is already mounting for what promises to be another thrilling NBA Cup. With a blend of renewed hopes and fresh faces, the second iteration is poised to capture the imagination of the basketball world once again, continuing the league’s mission of enhancing the excitement around the regular season.