The NBA Cup has now reached the quarterfinal stage, featuring the top eight teams in a high-stakes tournament. The intensity is rising, especially since the financial rewards for players on these teams have become significant. Lakers guard Jake LaRavia recently told NBC Sports that a $500,000 prize is a strong incentive to win games.
Here’s a rundown of the NBA Cup quarterfinal matchups taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday, along with what comes next:
NBA Cup 2025 Format:
The format has stayed mostly the same over the past three years. All 30 NBA teams were divided into six groups of five (three groups in each conference). Each team plays the others in its group once, totaling four games that count both for the regular season and the NBA Cup. The six group winners plus one wild card from each conference moved on to the quarterfinals, now set in a single-elimination bracket where Eastern teams face off against each other, as do Western teams, until the finals.
Quarterfinal Matchups:
Eastern Conference (December 9 on Amazon Prime)
- Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic: Orlando found momentum late this season, winning seven of their last ten games, but will miss star Franz Wagner due to a high ankle sprain. Miami, under coach Erik Spoelstra, runs a fast-paced offense focusing on isolation plays, though they’ve struggled recently with three straight losses and dips in both offense and defense.
- New York Knicks vs. Toronto Raptors: Toronto excels in a fast-paced transition game, relying on players like Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, alongside strong pressure defense. New York boasts a top-tier half-court offense led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns and comes in hot, having won seven of their last eight.
Western Conference (December 10 on Amazon Prime)
- Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder have been dominant with a historic 23-1 record, led by MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the league’s best defense. The Suns have been impressive this season under coach Jordan Ott, who emphasizes aggressive defense. Dillon Brooks has emerged as a key scorer, while Devin Booker remains a top guard, though his status for the game is uncertain.
- San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers: The Spurs hope to have Victor Wembanyama back from injury. Without him, they rely heavily on De’Aaron Fox and promising rookie Dylan Harper. The Lakers, led by MVP-level Luka Doncic, Austin Reeves, and a healthy LeBron James, have been unbeatable in clutch moments this season with an 8-0 record when trailing by five points in the final five minutes.
Schedule:
- Quarterfinals: December 9-10
- Semifinals: December 13 in Las Vegas
- Championship: December 16 in Las Vegas
Odds to Win the NBA Cup (DraftKings):
- Oklahoma City (-120)
- New York (+475)
- Los Angeles Lakers (+500)
- Orlando (+1200)
- Miami (+1200)
- Toronto (+1400)
- San Antonio (+1800)
- Phoenix (+9000)
Prize Money Breakdown:
- Winners: $530,933 per player
- Runners-up: $212,373 per player
- Semifinal losers: $106,187 per player
- Quarterfinal losers: $53,093 per player
2024 NBA Cup Champion:
Milwaukee, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, overcame a tough start and claimed the Cup with a dominant performance against Oklahoma City in the final, where Giannis recorded a 26-point triple-double.
How to Watch:
Peacock streams up to three Monday night games weekly during the regular season, with NBC covering Tuesday games and launching Sunday Night Basketball from February 1, 2026. Local listings vary, but most games air at 8 PM ET or PT across respective time zones.
Fan Take:
The NBA Cup quarterfinals not only highlight the league’s rising competitive spirit but also elevate the stakes with significant prize money, which could reshape player motivation and in-game intensity. For basketball fans, this tournament format offers thrilling, high-pressure matchups early in the season, potentially revolutionizing how the sport is experienced and followed.
