Today, the NBA released the full six NBA Cup groups for all 30 teams. The NBA Cup, previously known as the In-Season Tournament, is in its third year of existence after the league instituted it to add intrigue to the early season. The games will tip off on Halloween, and group play will conclude on November 28. Each group has five teams, which will engage in a round robin style tournament with one matchup against each squad. The winner of each group will advance to the quarterfinals, as well as one wild-card team from each conference. The quarterfinals will be played at home arenas by the higher seeds before the semifinals and finals commence in Las Vegas on December 13 and 16.
The #EmiratesNBACup 2025 Group Draw results!
Starting October 31, all 30 teams will compete for the NBA Cup with 8 teams advancing out of groups into the knockout rounds, with the semifinals and championship held in Las Vegas, December 13 and 16! pic.twitter.com/VJur4Hv0lL
— NBA (@NBA) July 9, 2025
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Knicks Get Favorable NBA Cup Draw
The Knicks appear to have gotten the best draw of any team in the league. Their group, which consists of them as well as the Hornets, Bulls, Heat, and Bucks, looks to easily be the softest of the six. Naturally, all three West groups will be a bloodbath due to the depth of the conference. In the East, however, it’s a different story. Injuries to three superstars in Tyrese Haliburton, Jayson Tatum, and Damian Lillard have weakened the conference significantly. This leaves just two established contenders: New York and Cleveland. Atlanta, Orlando, and Detroit are on the rise, but their ceiling is still uncertain.
So, why is the Knicks’ group the easiest? Well, it is much lower quality than Group A, which has Cleveland, Atlanta, and Indiana as respectable, if not better, teams. Group B also has four squads who have a good chance at the playoffs in Boston, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Detroit. Meanwhile, New York is the only surefire postseason squad in Group C. Charlotte and Chicago are likely lottery teams once again, while Miami feels like a mediocre play-in team for the third straight season. Milwaukee could compete for one of the top five seeds, but Giannis Antetokounmpo might not be a Buck on October 31. Even if the two-time MVP stays in Wisconsin, Milwaukee has a mostly helpless roster around him.
New York will be a favorite in all four group play games, assuming reasonable health. Mike Brown’s new squad will face off with the Hornets and Bulls on the road and host the Bucks and Heat at Madison Square Garden.
NY Has Done Well in Both NBA Cups
NYK will look to win its first NBA Cup in 2025. The Lakers and Bucks won the first two editions, respectively, claiming the prize money that comes with it. In 2023, the Knicks were ousted in the quarterfinals by the Bucks. Last season, Trae Young and co. came into MSG and beat New York handily in the quarterfinals. This year, everything is setup perfectly for New York to advance to the quarterfinals, and perhaps the semifinals in Las Vegas for the first time.
Trae threw dice on the logo
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— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 12, 2024
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While the in-season tournament still feels like it’s missing some oomph, and it’s still questionable whether the players or fans care about winning, it’s at least a chance to see the teams compete in a higher intensity environment. NBA players are competitive, and dangling any kind of prize in front of them is sure to bring out some entertaining hoops. Making a strong run in the NBA Cup will be a good measuring stick for the Knicks.
Photo credit: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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