The NBA Cup quarterfinals are underway, with six teams vying for the in-season tournament title. By the end of Wednesday night, this group will be narrowed down to four semifinalists, all from the Eastern Conference following Tuesday’s victories by the Magic and Knicks. The Magic overcame an early 15-point deficit against the Heat to win, while the Knicks secured their win on the road against the Raptors with a standout 35-point performance from Jalen Brunson. The Magic and Knicks will face off in the semifinals on Saturday, while the Western Conference quarterfinals are set for Wednesday, featuring the Thunder hosting the Suns and the Lakers playing the Spurs. The Thunder lead as favorites to win the 2025 NBA Cup with a 19-1 record, while last year’s champion was the Bucks, and the Lakers won the tournament’s earlier iteration in 2023.
The knockout stage matches were scheduled as follows: On December 9th, the Magic defeated the Heat 117-108, and the Knicks beat the Raptors 117-101. On December 10th, the Suns are set to play the Thunder, and the Spurs will take on the Lakers, both games airing on Amazon Prime Video. Semifinals will occur on December 13th, with the Magic facing the Knicks and the winners of the Suns/Thunder and Spurs/Lakers matchups competing later that day. The final is slated for December 16th in Las Vegas. Eight teams—the Heat, Magic, Knicks, Raptors, Suns, Thunder, Spurs, and Lakers—advanced from group play by securing at least a 3-1 record. The Thunder, Lakers, Raptors, and Magic remained undefeated in the group stage. Quarterfinal games are held in the higher-seeded teams’ home venues, while semifinals and the final will be hosted in Las Vegas.
Fan Take: This NBA Cup format adds an exciting mid-season twist, offering fans meaningful, high-stakes basketball beyond the regular season. It not only enhances competitive spirit but also gives emerging teams a chance to make a name for themselves, potentially reshaping dynamics across the league.
