The NBA Cup is back, and defending champions Milwaukee Bucks face a tough road ahead.
In their quest to defend the title, the new-look Bucks will compete in East Group C alongside reigning East finalists New York Knicks, a retooled Miami Heat, the Chicago Bulls, and the Charlotte Hornets.
Ready to run it back.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 9, 2025
Milwaukee enters the tournament with a new roster as gone are the likes of Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, and Pat Connaughton. But Myles Turner, Gary Harris, Gary Trent Jr., on top of the returning Kevin Porter Jr., and Bobby Portis join the team.
[ALSO READ: Milwaukee Bucks waive Damian Lillard, land Myles Turner in offseason shakeup—reports]
Despite the changes, tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the driving force, and the Bucks aim to become the first team to win back-to-back NBA Cups.
[ALSO READ: After NBA Cup win, Giannis Antetokounmpo stays locked in for Bucks: 'Job’s not done']
Last year, the Bucks turned their season around after a rough 2-8 start, finishing with a 9-1 record over the next 10 games, including a perfect 4-0 run in group play to secure the top seed in the KO round.
Milwaukee then defeated Orlando and Atlanta before winning the championship, limiting Oklahoma City to just 81 points—the fewest the Thunder scored during their entire 2024-25 title run.
The Bucks weren't the only team in East Group C to reach the KO rounds last season as the Knicks went unbeaten in Group Play. They will look to repeat that success in 2025 under new head coach Mike Brown and the addition of former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson.
[ALSO READ: Jordan Clarkson acknowledges Knicks signing with optimistic social media post]
Miami, with the longest-tenured coach in the league Erik Spoelstra, will look to guide the Heat after adding veteran scorer Norman Powell.
[ALSO READ: Heat land Norman Powell, Clippers acquire John Collins in three-team trade with Jazz]
Meanwhile, the reigning NBA Cup runner-up Thunder are back with a vengeance. OKC competes in West Group A alongside the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, and Utah Jazz.
Perhaps the Thunder’s toughest competition in the group comes from the Timberwolves, whom they defeated in the Western Conference Finals last year en route to winning the franchise's first title in the OKC era.
[ALSO READ: Thunder end 13-year NBA Finals drought with Game 5 masterclass vs Timberwolves]
It also offers an early look at the post-Kevin Durant trade Suns, now featuring Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Mark Williams.
[ALSO READ: Kevin Durant headed to Houston Rockets in blockbuster trade — report]
East Group A comprises the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards.
Cleveland raced to a franchise-best 15-0 start last season and held the top spot in the East until the end of the season. However, the Cavs’ pursuit of the NBA Cup and the Larry O’Brien Trophy was thwarted by the Hawks and Pacers.
[ALSO READ: Cavaliers improve to 15-0 to continue historic NBA start]
Atlanta handed Cleveland its first back-to-back losses of the season, while Indiana pulled off a stunning 4-1 playoff series win over Cleveland.
With Tyrese Haliburton out for the season, the Pacers are facing an uphill climb, while Cleveland has added former second overall pick Lonzo Ball to its roster.
[ALSO READ: Pacers rule out star guard Tyrese Haliburton for 2025-26 NBA season after Achilles surgery]
Atlanta, which reached the NBA Cup quarterfinals but missed the playoffs for the second straight season, has bolstered its squad with the additions of Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard.
[ALSO READ: Hawks, Rockets make early splash, revamp rosters in Day 1 of 2025 NBA free agency]
East Group B features the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Cade Cunningham's Pistons and Paolo Banchero's Magic are two rising teams in the East, both looking to use the NBA Cup as a springboard for a successful season.
Meanwhile, the revamped Celtics now face heightened expectations after a busy offseason that saw them lose key championship core players in Jrue Holiday and Porzingis.
[ALSO READ: Two-time champ Jrue Holiday heads to Portland as Boston gets Anfernee Simons, picks—reports]
Following an East semifinal run where superstar Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles tear, Boston is now relying on former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, All-Defensive team member Derrick White, and offseason acquisition Anfernee Simons to lead the team.
Meanwhile, the 76ers, coming off a playoff streak-ending season, are hoping for a healthy start with Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and rookie VJ Edgecombe.
West Group C shapes up to be the “Group of Death.”
The retooled Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets join the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, and Portland Trail Blazers in a highly competitive group.
Houston quickly established itself as a legitimate title contender with the addition of two-time champion and Finals MVP Kevin Durant.
Alongside him, the Rockets strengthened their roster by signing Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency, complementing a lineup that already includes Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, and Amen Thompson, among others.
Denver, determined not to be overlooked, acquired Cam Johnson in a trade that sent Michael Porter Jr. to the Nets. Additionally, the Nuggets bolstered their roster with the additions of Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and veteran center Jonas Valanciunas.
[ALSO READ: Nuggets trade Michael Porter Jr., sign returning Bruce Brown on one-year deal—reports]
San Antonio, meanwhile, welcomed 2025 no. 2 pick Dylan Harper, adding him to a young core led by superstar Victor Wembanyama and reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.
[ALSO READ: Fil-Am rookie Dylan Harper officially signs with San Antonio Spurs]
Golden State will now have superstar Jimmy Butler for a full offseason and partnership with Warriors veteran Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, coming off a West semifinals appearance, brings newfound motivation.
Winners of the inaugural in-season competition in 2023, the Lakers enter their first full season with Luka Doncic on the roster, joining co-star LeBron James and newcomer Deandre Ayton.
[ALSO READ: Lakers land former no. 1 pick Deandre Ayton on two-year deal—reports]
They’ll face stiff competition from state rivals the Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, and New Orleans Pelicans in West Group B.
James Harden and Kawhi Leonard are expected to lead the Clippers, who added Lopez and John Collins. The Clippers won 11 straight meetings with the Lakers from 2020 to 2023, but Los Angeles enters group play having won six of the past eight matchups against the Clippers.
[ALSO READ: End of an era as champs Kevon Looney, Brook Lopez end stints with Warriors, Bucks—reports]
How Cooper Flagg will pair with fellow no. 1 pick Anthony Davis on the Dallas frontline, how quickly he adapts to the NBA, and how much he can elevate the Mavs’ performance will be key storylines as the season unfolds.
[ALSO READ: Cooper Flagg, Mavericks take on Bronny James, Lakers in Summer League Las Vegas opener]
The third NBA Cup will run from November 1 to 29 (PH time), with the quarterfinals set for December 10-11, and the semifinals on December 14 in Las Vegas. The championship game, which will not affect the season record or statistics for either team, is scheduled for December 17.
