The NBA has officially announced the dates and structure for the highly anticipated second NBA Cup, previously known as the In-Season Tournament. This year’s competition promises to build on the enthusiasm and competitive spirit ignited by last season's premiere.
Group-Play Action and Knockout Stages
Group-play action is set to commence on November 12, with semifinals and championship games slated to take place in Las Vegas on December 14 and December 17, respectively. The tournament aims to infuse the early NBA season with added excitement and significance.
This season follows the same format as last year. All 30 NBA teams will be randomly assigned into six groups of five, based on their records from the previous season. The official group draw is scheduled for this Friday. Teams will compete on designated "Cup Nights" every Tuesday and Friday between November 12 and December 3, playing each of the other four teams within their group once during the group-stage period.
The team that tops each of the six groups will advance to the knockout stage. Additionally, two "wild card" teams from each conference—those with the best records in the group-play who finished second in their respective groups—will join the top six, making a total of eight teams in the knockout phase. The knockout stage, adopting a single-elimination format, will begin on December 10.
Las Vegas Hosts Final Showdown
As the competition progresses, the semifinals in Las Vegas on December 14 and the championship game on December 17 will be critical dates for basketball fans. These culminating games not only promise high-stakes action but also substantial rewards.
Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged victorious, besting the Indiana Pacers 123-109 in a thrilling finale. Lakers' star LeBron James took home the tournament MVP honors. Each player on the championship Lakers team earned $500,000, while the Pacers players received $200,000 as the runners-up. This substantial prize money pool will be split among the winners and runners-up once again this year, serving as strong motivation for all involved.
A Revamped Tournament with Continued Excitement
The NBA has also unveiled a revamped logo for the NBA Cup. The new design includes the tournament's name, the trophy, and prominently features the official event sponsor, Emirates. This updated look aligns with the league’s effort to maintain and elevate the tournament's prestige.
Introduced last season to great fanfare, the NBA Cup has successfully increased interest and competitiveness during the early part of the NBA schedule. With the continuation of this initiative, the league hopes to see even greater engagement and excitement this year.
The upcoming second NBA Cup sets the stage for another round of thrilling basketball, compelling storylines, and memorable performances. As teams gear up for the draw and fans mark their calendars, anticipation for group-play action on November 12 is building rapidly. The journey to Las Vegas and the coveted NBA Cup trophy promises to captivate the basketball world once again.