The NBA has officially announced the dates and format for the second NBA Cup, previously known as the In-Season Tournament. This year’s event aims to build upon the excitement and competitiveness generated during the inaugural year.
Schedule and Format
The tournament kicks off with group-play action starting on November 12 and will culminate with the semifinals and championship games in Las Vegas on December 14 and December 17, respectively. Much like last season, the NBA Cup continues the league’s effort to inject more excitement and significance into early-season NBA games, keeping fans engaged from the get-go.
This year’s tournament will maintain the same format as the previous year, where all 30 NBA teams are randomly assigned into six groups of five, based on their records from the last season. The draw for these groups is set to take place this Friday.
Once grouped, teams will compete on designated "Cup Nights," held on Tuesdays and Fridays between November 12 and December 3. Each team will play the other four teams in their assigned group once during this group-play period. The top team from each group will advance to the knockout stage, along with two "wild card" teams from each conference that have the best record in the group play but finished second in their groups. This setup leads to a knockout phase comprising eight teams in total.
Knockout Stage and Rewards
The knockout stage is scheduled to begin on December 10 and will follow a single-elimination format. The semifinals will be held in Las Vegas on December 14, leading to the championship game on December 17. The winners and the runners-up will share a substantial prize money pool, adding more incentive for teams to perform at their best.
Last season’s finale saw the Los Angeles Lakers claim victory over the Indiana Pacers with a score of 123-109, with the legendary LeBron James earning the tournament’s MVP honors. Each player on the victorious Lakers team received $500,000, while the Pacers players took home $200,000 as runners-up. Such monetary rewards have undeniably sparked greater interest and competitiveness among the teams, making the early NBA schedule more engaging.
A New Logo for a New Era
This year, the NBA has introduced a revamped logo for the NBA Cup. The new design incorporates the name of the tournament and the trophy along with the event’s official sponsor, Emirates, signifying a fresh look as the league continues to enhance the profile of this in-season competition.
The introduction of the NBA Cup last season marked a significant milestone in the NBA’s ongoing effort to innovate and keep the early months of the season compelling. The league is optimistic that the second iteration will build upon the foundation established last year, further increasing interest and adding a layer of excitement to early-season matchups.
As the teams prepare for the upcoming draw and subsequent games, fans eagerly await the potential thrill and high-stakes drama that the NBA Cup promises. Given the success of last season’s tournament, expectations are undoubtedly high for this upcoming season, and the league appears well-prepared to deliver on those expectations.
With the stage set and the format confirmed, the countdown to November 12 has begun. Basketball enthusiasts can look forward to what promises to be another electrifying and competitive NBA Cup, setting the tone for the rest of the NBA season.