There will be a new NBA Cup champion this year.
This is after the Los Angeles Lakers’ title-retention bid came to a crushing end in their final group play on the same night the Atlanta Hawks became the first team from the East to clinch a spot in the knockout quarterfinal round.
HAWKS LANDS SPOT IN QF; THUNDER END LAKERS' REIGN
- Atlanta Hawks (9-11) def. Cleveland Cavaliers (17-3), 117-101: The Hawks scored another win against the NBA-best Cavaliers for the second time in the last three days.
- Drop it like Ice Trae: Trae Young recorded a double-double of 21 points and 11 assists as the Hawks clinched the East Group C top spot with the help of a Boston Celtics victory over the Chicago Bulls.
The @ATLHawks become the first team in the Eastern Conference to advance to the #EmiratesNBACup Knockout Rounds as the winners of East Group C.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) November 30, 2024
- OKC Thunder (14-4) def. LA Lakers (11-7), 101-93: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 14 of his game-high 35 points in the fourth, putting an end to the Lakers' NBA Cup title defense with a critical road win.
[ALSO READ: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-led Thunder eliminate defending champion Lakers from NBA Cup]
MAGIC, PISTONS GO 3-0, AS GRIZZLIES, CELTICS KEEP ROLLING
- Orlando Magic (14-7) def. Brooklyn Nets (9-11), 123-100: Make it five straight wins for the Magic and a 3-0 NBA Cup slate after dismantling the Nets.
- Wagner weaves magic: Franz Wagner finished with an all-around game of 29 points, eight rebounds, and eight dimes as Orlando visits the fellow unbeaten Knicks in New York to determine who will come out as the East Group A champion.
Franz Wagner and the @OrlandoMagic stay RED-HOT 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) November 30, 2024
💫 11-1 in their last 12 games
💫 3-0 in the #EmiratesNBACup
29/8/8 for Franz as Orlando inches closer to advancing to the Knockout Rounds! 🏆
- Detroit Pistons (9-12) def. Indiana Pacers (9-11), 130-106: The Pistons joined five other teams who have yet to drop a game in the NBA Cup, via a 24-point demolition of the Pacers.
- Triple trouble: Cade Cunningham returned from a three-game absence to post 24 points and 11 assists, Malik Beasley added 25 markers, and Jaden Ivy scored 23 for Detroit, who will battle with the Milwaukee Bucks with a quarterfinal spot on the line in East Group B.
Guard trio sparks the @DetroitPistons to 3-0 in #EmiratesNBACup play! 🏆
— NBA (@NBA) November 30, 2024
Malik Beasley: 25 PTS, 5 3PM
Cade Cunningham: 24 PTS, 4 3PM, 6 REB, 11 AST
Jaden Ivey: 23 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST
- Memphis Grizzlies (13-7) def. New Orleans Pelicans (4-16), 120-109: Ja Morant steered the Grizzlies to their first-ever NBA Cup win and a fifth straight victory at expense of the Pelicans.
- Ja-st do it: Morant dropped 27 points and seven assists giving the Grizzlies a small window of opportunity to advance into the next round if they manage to topple the Mavericks by a wide margin.
- Boston Celtics (16-3) def. Chicago Bulls (8-13), 138-129: Jayson Tatum put the Celtics in contention for the one East wildcard spot after eliminating the Bulls from the tournament.
TRAIL BLAZERS STAY ALIVE FOR WILDCARD RACE
- Minnesota Timberwolves (9-10) def. LA Clippers (12-9), 93-92: Anthony Edwards weaved his endgame magic in helping the Timberwolves stop a four-game losing skid.
[ALSO READ: Timberwolves snap four-game slide with critical win against Clippers in NBA Cup play]
- Miami Heat (9-8) def. Toronto Raptors (5-15), 121-111: Bam Adebayo secured a triple-double outing that led to the Heat’s fourth win in the last five games.
- Portland Trail Blazers (8-12) def. Sacramento Kings (17-3), 115-106: Deandre Ayton went to work and unleashed 26 points, as the Trail Blazers kept their wildcard hopes alive while knocking off the Kings in the NBA Cup.
