The second-to-last night of group stage games in the 2025 NBA Cup featured an intense back-to-back matchup. In the opening game on Wednesday, the Boston Celtics narrowly beat the Detroit Pistons 117-114, snapping Detroit’s 13-game winning streak. The Pistons now hold a 2-1 record in Group B and will face the Orlando Magic in a decisive winner-take-all match on Friday for a place in the final round.
The Boston game saw 15 lead changes, with the Celtics securing the lead on an and-one by Jaylen Brown. Late in the game, the Celtics tried to foul to limit the Pistons to two free throws, but Cade Cunningham was fouled in the act of shooting and earned three shots. He made the first two but missed the final free throw, sealing the win for Boston. A Pistons victory would have set a franchise record with 14 consecutive wins.
Wednesday’s action settled much of the group stage. The New York Knicks crushed the Charlotte Hornets 129-101 behind Jalen Brunson’s 33 points, officially eliminating the Hornets from knockout contention for the third year running. The Miami Heat clung to a 106-103 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, extending their winning streak to six and improving to 13-6 this season. Tyler Herro led Miami with 29 points in his second game back post-ankle surgery. The Bucks, without the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo, suffered their sixth straight loss. This night’s results officially knocked the Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, and Atlanta Hawks out of contention in the East.
In the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves lost late to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who won 113-105. That loss, combined with the Memphis Grizzlies’ overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans, eliminated the Timberwolves from the title race. The Grizzlies’ 133-128 victory also ended championship hopes for the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Golden State Warriors. Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers fell to the San Antonio Spurs 115-102, ending their chances of progressing in Group C.
Here are the updated NBA Cup standings:
East Group A: Toronto Raptors (4-0, +55)*, Cleveland Cavaliers (2-1, +34), Washington Wizards (1-2, -45), Indiana Pacers (0-3, -33)
East Group B: Detroit Pistons (2-1, +24), Boston Celtics (2-2, -17), Philadelphia 76ers (0-3, -51)
East Group C: New York Knicks (2-1, +26), Milwaukee Bucks (2-1, +13), Charlotte Hornets (0-3, -46)
West Group A: Oklahoma City Thunder (3-0, +71), Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2, +45), Sacramento Kings (0-3, -57)
West Group B: Los Angeles Lakers (3-0, +36)*, Los Angeles Clippers (2-1, -9), Memphis Grizzlies (2-1, +9), Dallas Mavericks (1-2, -13), New Orleans Pelicans (0-4, -17)
West Group C: Denver Nuggets (2-1, +26), San Antonio Spurs (2-1, +23), Houston Rockets (2-2, +14), Portland Trail Blazers (2-2, -31), Golden State Warriors (1-3, -32)
(* Denotes group winners)
Fan Take: This night’s thrilling games and upsets highlight the fiercely competitive nature of the NBA Cup, a fresh platform where every possession counts. For basketball fans, it’s exciting to see rising stars and seasoned veterans battling intensely, signaling a promising future for the sport with heightened rivalries and unforgettable moments ahead.
