By Harshit
NEW YORK, DEC. 9 — 7 AM EDT
The NBA Cup enters its decisive phase this week as the knockout rounds begin, with eight teams left standing after an intense group stage that has reshaped early-season narratives across the league.
The quarterfinals tip off Tuesday night with a doubleheader in the Eastern Conference before shifting west on Wednesday, placing defending champions, rising contenders, and tournament-tested veterans under a national spotlight.
Introduced to add competitive edge to the regular season, the NBA Cup continues to build momentum with win-or-go-home stakes. Each player on the eventual championship roster will share a $500,000 prize pool, while the league crowns its third in-season tournament winner.
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Momentum Meets Matchups
Tuesday’s slate opens in Florida, where the unbeaten Orlando Magic host the Miami Heat. Orlando dominated East Group B with a flawless 4-0 record, pairing elite half-court defense with disciplined scoring balance. Their matchup against Miami pits consistency against experience, as the Heat advanced from Group C with a 3-1 mark.
The nightcap shifts north to Toronto, where the Raptors welcome the New York Knicks in a game loaded with tactical intrigue. Toronto emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, sweeping East Group A. Their perimeter defense and fast-break execution were key in securing the top seed.
New York, meanwhile, navigated a competitive Group C to advance alongside Miami. The Knicks rely heavily on physicality, rebounding control, and half-court execution — factors that could test Toronto’s pace-driven approach.
Only two teams from the East will advance, and both matchups feature stylistic contrasts that could swing dramatically based on early momentum.
Western Conference: Champions Tested Early
Wednesday’s action opens with a marquee showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns. Oklahoma City, the defending NBA champions, cruised through West Group A without a loss, reinforcing their reputation as the league’s most complete roster.
Despite injuries throughout the early season, the Thunder have paired efficient offense with elite defense, making them a difficult out even in neutral situations. Phoenix enters as the group runner-up, leaning on perimeter shooting and transition scoring to remain dangerous despite roster adjustments.
The second game Wednesday sends the San Antonio Spurs to Los Angeles to face the Lakers, who remain undefeated in NBA Cup play since the tournament’s inception. The Lakers won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023 and again dominated group play this year, finishing 4-0 in West Group B.
San Antonio’s rise through Group C reflects improved ball movement and late-game execution, but their challenge now escalates sharply against a veteran Lakers roster comfortable in high-stakes environments.
How Group Play Shaped the Bracket
Group play results across both conferences added intrigue and parity to the quarterfinal field. Toronto, Orlando, Oklahoma City, and the Lakers each advanced unbeaten, setting them up as top seeds with home-court advantages.
Meanwhile, teams like Miami, New York, Phoenix, and San Antonio navigated tighter margins, earning advancement through tiebreakers and key head-to-head wins. Traditional contenders such as Milwaukee and Denver failed to reach the knockout stage, underscoring the tournament’s unforgiving structure.
Schedule Overview
The quarterfinal winners will advance to the semifinals on Saturday, Dec. 13, with both games played on a neutral floor. The tournament culminates Tuesday, Dec. 16, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where the NBA Cup champion will be crowned.
All knockout games will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime, continuing the league’s push to expand digital broadcast reach during marquee events.