The final stage of the NBA Cup has been set, with the top teams from the group stage moving on to the quarterfinals. On Friday night, four teams secured group stage victories, while two others earned wildcard spots despite losses.
In the Eastern Conference, the Orlando Magic topped Group B with a 4-0 record after narrowly defeating the Detroit Pistons 112-109. The New York Knicks, finishing Group C with a 3-1 record and led by Jalen Brunson’s 37 points and 5 assists, won their group after beating the Milwaukee Bucks 118-109. Miami, another 3-1 team, advanced as a wild card based on their comparative record.
Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, undefeated at 4-0, claimed Group A by defeating the Phoenix Suns 123-119. The San Antonio Spurs also advanced from Group C after a high-scoring 139-136 win over the Denver Nuggets. Phoenix secured the Western Conference wild card spot due to their superior point differential over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Prior to Friday, six of the eight spots for the tournament’s knockout stage were confirmed, with the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors among the quarterfinalists. The Thunder, currently holding a 19-1 record, are the favorites to win the 2025 NBA Cup. Last year’s champion was the Bucks, and the Lakers took the title in 2023 under an earlier format.
The knockout stage schedule includes quarterfinals on December 9 and 10, semifinals on December 13, and the final on December 16, all held in Las Vegas.
Fan Take: This year’s NBA Cup is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in-season tournaments yet, spotlighting emerging teams and intense competition. For basketball fans, it offers a fresh, high-stakes format that could revolutionize mid-season excitement and add new layers of strategy and drama to the sport.
