The draw has been completed for the Emirates NBA Cup, which will involve all 30 teams starting in November. Here's all you need to know about this event.
What is the Emirates NBA Cup?
This is formerly known as the NBA In-Season Tournament. In its second year, the Emirates NBA Cup will tip off on November 12 and end on December 17.
What is the format of the Emirates NBA Cup?
This time, all 30 teams will participate in the first stage of Group Play. These teams have been drawn into groups of five within their conference, based on win-loss records from the 2023-24 regular season.
Each team will play a single round robin against their opponents in each group. Two games will be played at home, two will be on the road.
These Group Play matches will be played on "Cup Nights", taking place every Tuesday and Friday (or Wednesday and Saturday, Philippine time).
Western Conference
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
Eastern Conference
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
How will the knockout rounds be played?
There will be eight teams heading to the knockout stage. The best team in each of the groups will comprise the first six.
A "wild card" team will also be chosen from each conference, selected depending on who has the best record among those who finished second in their group.
The knockout rounds are single elimination games in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the championship.
How will this affect the regular season?
All Emirates NBA Cup games will count towards the regular-season standings except the Championship.
The winner will receive a trophy. A prize pool will also be allocated to players who qualify for the knockout stage.
A media panel will also select the Most Valuable Player along with the All-Tournament Team.
