The 2025 NBA Cup group play schedule is out.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the defending champions Milwaukee Bucks will open their title defense at home against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, November 12 (PH time).
The Bucks will then face the Charlotte Hornets before tangling with the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks over a three-day span to conclude their pool play campaign in East Group C.
Last season, Milwaukee went 4-0 in the group stage to advance to the knockout games and ultimately toppled the eventual NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, 97-81, in Las Vegas.
[ALSO READ: After NBA Cup win, Giannis Antetokounmpo stays locked in for Bucks: 'Job’s not done']
Antetokounmpo delivered a monster 26-point, 19-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in that game to bag tournament MVP honors, becoming the second player after LA Lakers star LeBron James to claim the award since its inception in 2023.
Speaking of James and the Purple and Gold, the inaugural NBA Cup champions will kick off their campaign on the opening day of the midseason tournament against Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies on the road, Saturday, November 1 (PH time).
From Halloween to Black Friday, 5 straight weeks of Emirates NBA Cup Doubleheaders 🔥
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) August 13, 2025
The tournament tips Oct 31 on @PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/gQFRMxVZ6v
The Lakers and Grizzlies are joined by the LA Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, and New Orleans Pelicans in West Group B.
[ALSO READ: NBA Cup champs Bucks head Group A; Rockets, Nuggets, Warriors, Spurs make ‘group of death’]
As for the Thunder, the reigning NBA champions begin their quest for tournament redemption against the Sacramento Kings at home on Saturday, November 8 (PH time).
After that, OKC will face fellow West Group A members Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Phoenix Suns to wrap up pool play.
The Thunder finished 3-1 last season in the preliminaries before qualifying for the knockout rounds, where they overcame the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets before falling to the Bucks in the championship round.
