The NBA in-season tournament was a huge hit in its first year of existence last season. Now, it is back, but under a new name. The tournament, which takes place in the middle of the season, is now called the Emirates NBA Cup 2024. The in-season tournament consists of all 30 teams spread across six different groups who compete for the NBA Cup Championship Trophy. The NBA Cup schedule was just released on Tuesday, Aug. 13, on ESPN's NBA Today broadcast.
NBA Cup schedule
The 2024 iteration of the NBA Cup begins on Nov. 12, with national TV games between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors highlighting the slate. This Mavericks-Warriors game represents Klay Thompson's first return to the Bay Area.
The full NBA Cup 2024 schedule is available here.
Emirates NBA Cup format
The NBA Cup 2024 rules are the same as last year's in-season tournament. All 30 teams have been placed into six different groups consisting of five teams. Tuesdays and Fridays from Nov. 12 to Dec. 3 are known as “Cup Nights,” and during that span on those nights each team will play every team in their group once. This stage is considered “Group Play.”
Then, eight teams will advance to the “Knockout Rounds.” The team from each group with the best Group Play record as well as a wild card team with the best Group Play record from each conference who didn't win their group will advance to single-elimination games.
The quarterfinals consisting of eight teams are on Dec. 10-11, and the semifinals are on Dec. 14. The semifinals, as well as the Dec. 17 NBA Cup Finals, will be played in Las Vegas, Nevada. All in all, there are 67 games that will be a part of the in-season tournament. Every one of those games except for the NBA Cup Final will count towards the regular season records, meaning the two teams in the NBA Cup Final will play 83 games rather than the standard 82.
Teams are competing for the NBA Cup Championship Trophy as well as a prize pool. Last year's in-season tournament was a huge hit. The unique court designs for Cup Nights drew plenty of eyes to the sport, and fans were excited by the increased level of intensity during in-season tournament games. Fans who were concerned by the innovative rule changes were instead rewarded with an improved regular season product.
The Los Angeles Lakers were the team that ended up winning the inaugural tournament, and LeBron James was the first MVP of the tournament. The Lakers' run wasn't the only intriguing storyline to come out of the in-season tournament. Additionally, Tyrese Haliburton emerged as a superstar as the Indiana Pacers showed off a historically efficient offensive unit.
In-season tournament groups
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Sacramento Kings
- Houston Rockets
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Phoenix Suns
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Utah Jazz
- San Antonio Spurs
- Denver Nuggets
- Dallas Mavericks
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Golden State Warriors
- Memphis Grizzlies
- New York Knicks
- Orlando Magic
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Brooklyn Nets
- Charlotte Hornets
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Indiana Pacers
- Miami Heat
- Toronto Raptors
- Detroit Pistons
- Boston Celtics
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Chicago Bulls
- Atlanta Hawks
- Washington Wizards
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