NBA Cup 2025: Schedule, Matchups, and TV Broadcast Details

NBA Announces Groups for 2025 Emirates NBA Cup – Full Team Breakdown

NEW YORK, NY – The National Basketball Association today unveiled the groups for the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup, a tournament running alongside the regular season offering a new competitive element and a significant prize pool. The in-season tournament will see all 30 NBA teams compete for a championship title and $500,000 per player on the winning team.

The tournament structure divides teams into six groups – three in each conference – for initial group play. Hear’s a complete look at the groupings:

Eastern Conference

east Group A: Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks
east Group B: orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors
East Group C: Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets

Western Conference

West Group A: Oklahoma City thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Utah jazz
West Group B: Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans
West Group C: Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs

How the Tournament Works:

Following the group stage, the top two teams from each group, plus one wild card team from each conference (the team with the best record that didn’t win its group), will advance to a single-elimination knockout round. this will consist of quarterfinals, semifinals, and a championship game – all scheduled for December 2025.

What This means for the NBA:

The introduction of the Emirates NBA Cup represents a significant shift in the league’s approach to mid-season engagement. Historically, the early part of the NBA season has sometimes lacked the intensity of the playoff push.This tournament aims to inject excitement and higher stakes into November and December, offering fans a compelling storyline beyond the traditional regular season standings.

Beyond the Immediate Competition:

The NBA Cup isn’t just about a new trophy.It’s a strategic move designed to:

Boost Mid-Season Viewership: The tournament provides a concentrated period of meaningful games during a time when ratings can dip.
Increase Fan Engagement: The tournament format encourages more casual fans to tune in and follow specific team narratives.
Experiment with New Formats: the NBA is consistently exploring ways to innovate and enhance the fan experience, and the Cup is a prime example of this.
Global Appeal: The Emirates sponsorship underscores the NBA’s continued global expansion efforts.

Looking Ahead:

The full schedule for group play, including dates, times, and television broadcasts, will be released alongside the complete 2025-26 NBA regular season schedule in August. Fans can also anticipate printable schedules for each team becoming available at that time. The league is also preparing for the 2026 NBA Playoffs, with bracket facts already accessible.

The 2025 Emirates NBA Cup promises to be a landmark event in the NBA calendar, offering a fresh and exciting dimension to the league’s competitive landscape.

What is the significance of integrating NBA Cup games into the regular season standings?

What is the NBA Cup?

The NBA Cup is a new in-season tournament launched by the NBA, aiming to inject more excitement into the early regular season.It features all 30 NBA teams competing for a championship and a cash prize. The inaugural tournament took place in the 2023-24 season, and the 2025 edition promises to build on that success. This tournament is designed to rival other mid-season sporting events and boost viewership during November.

NBA Cup 2025 Schedule: Key Dates

The 2025 NBA Cup schedule will follow a similar format to the inaugural tournament. Here’s a breakdown of the key dates:

Tournament Games: November 3 – November 24,2025. These games will be integrated into the regular season schedule.

Quarterfinals: December 2 – December 4, 2025. Hosted by NBA teams in campus site locations.

Semifinals & Championship: December 7, 2025. Held at a neutral site – Las Vegas, Nevada.

Keep an eye on https://www.basketusa.com/resultats-nba/ for updated NBA results and the full schedule as it becomes available.

NBA Cup 2025 Matchups & Tournament Format

The tournament is divided into six groups of five teams each. Teams will play four designated tournament games against their group opponents.

Here’s how the tournament unfolds:

1. Group Play: Teams compete within their groups. Wins in tournament games count towards both the NBA Cup standings and the regular season standings.
2. Tiebreakers: If teams are tied in group play, tiebreakers will be applied, prioritizing head-to-head record, then conference record, and point differential.
3. Quarterfinals: The top team from each group automatically advances to the Quarterfinals, along with one wild card team from each conference (the team with the best record that didn’t win its group).
4. Semifinals & Championship: Single-elimination rounds to determine the NBA Cup Champion.

2025 Groups (Projected – Subject to Change):

East Group A: Boston Celtics,Philadelphia 76ers,Toronto Raptors,New York Knicks,Indiana Pacers

east Group B: Milwaukee Bucks,Cleveland Cavaliers,Chicago Bulls,Detroit pistons,Atlanta Hawks

East Group C: Miami Heat,Orlando Magic,Washington Wizards,Charlotte Hornets,Brooklyn Nets

West Group A: Denver nuggets,Oklahoma city Thunder,Utah Jazz,Portland Trail blazers,Memphis Grizzlies

West Group B: Los Angeles Lakers,Phoenix Suns,New Orleans Pelicans,San Antonio Spurs,houston Rockets

West Group C: Golden State warriors,Sacramento Kings,Los Angeles Clippers,Dallas Mavericks,Minnesota Timberwolves

Note: These groupings are based on the 2024 playoff standings and are subject to change when the official 2025 groups are announced.

TV Broadcast Details: Where to Watch the NBA Cup 2025

The NBA Cup games will be broadcast across a variety of networks, ensuring wide accessibility for fans.

National TV: ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV will carry a significant number of tournament games, including the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Championship.

Local Broadcasts: Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) will broadcast games involving local teams.

streaming Options: NBA League Pass will offer access to all tournament games (subject to blackout restrictions). Streaming services carrying ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV will also provide coverage.

NBA TV: A dedicated channel for comprehensive NBA coverage, including the NBA Cup.

Specific Game Schedules & Broadcast Listings:

As the schedule is finalized, detailed broadcast listings will be available on:

NBA.com

ESPN.com

TNT.com

NBA TV’s website

NBA Cup Prize Money & Benefits

The NBA Cup offers a ample prize pool for participating teams:

Champion: $500,000

Runner-up: $200,000

Teams Eliminated in Semifinals: $50,000 each

Teams Eliminated in Quarterfinals: $20,000 each

All Participating Players on the Winning Team: $50,000 each

Beyond the financial rewards, the NBA Cup provides:

Increased exposure: Teams gain increased national television exposure during the tournament.

Fan Engagement: The tournament aims to create a more engaging experience for fans during the early regular season.

* Competitive intensity: The in-season tournament adds a new layer of competitive intensity to the NBA schedule.

NBA Cup: Historical Context & Impact (2023-24)

The inaugural NBA Cup in the 2023-24 season saw the Los Angeles Lakers crowned champions, defeating the Indiana Pacers in the championship game. The tournament generated significant buzz and positive feedback from players, coaches, and fans.