The Emirates NBA Cup is back for its second season, blending regular-season intensity with the thrill of a knockout-style competition. Set to begin November 12, this in-season tournament gives all 30 NBA teams a chance to compete for a mid-season title and cash prizes.
Sponsored by Emirates (hence the name Emirates NBA Cup), this tournament adds a fresh twist to the traditional NBA schedule, giving players an extra championship to chase, while giving fans more high-stakes games to watch.
Here’s how it all works: The tournament starts with group play, where teams are divided by conference into six groups, each with five teams. Every team will play four games within their group-two at home and two on the road. After these games, the best team from each group, plus one “wild card” team from each conference (the best runner-up), will advance to the knockout stage. Here’s a look at each group:
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
After group play ends on December 3, the knockout rounds begin. Quarterfinals take place on December 10 and 11, and the remaining teams head to Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena for the semifinals on December 14, with the championship game set for December 17. All games except the championship count toward the regular season standings, keeping the stakes high throughout the tournament.
For players, there’s plenty of incentive: prize money of $50,000 for quarterfinalists, $100,000 for semifinalists, $200,000 for the runner-up, and $500,000 for each player on the championship team.
National coverage on ABC, ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT, along with NBA League Pass, ensures fans worldwide can follow every game. This tournament, backed by Emirates, brings an international spotlight to mid-season competition and adds a unique layer of excitement for players and fans alike.
