The NBA announced the group play schedule for the NBA Cup for the upcoming season, featuring thrilling primetime matchups starting on Nov. 12. Like the inaugural iteration last season, which was called the In-Season Tournament, all 30 teams were randomly drawn into six groups of five based on their record from the previous season. The format for the tournament will stay the same, where each team will play the other squads in their respective groups once, on what will be called “Cup Nights” next season on Tuesdays and Fridays between Nov. 12 and Dec. 3. At the culmination of group play, the six group winners will advance to the knockout rounds in addition to two “wild card” teams — one team from each conference with the best record in the group play but did not win its group. The eight teams will then play in a single-elimination format, which will start on Dec. 10. The semifinals and championship games will take place in Las Vegas on Dec. 14 and Dec. 17.
Results from NBA Cup games will count toward regular-season records and will ultimately have some impact on playoff seeding, but the NBA Cup winners are guaranteed nothing when the league’s postseason begins. The NBA Cup winners and the second-place team will split the prize money among their players. Last season, after winning the inaugural event, each Lakers player received $500,000, while the Pacers, the second-place team, received $200,000. The losing players of the semifinals each got $100,000, and the losing players of the quarterfinals each got $50,000. This year’s prizes will be higher because of the latest collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association.In addition to the financial incentive for players, there will also be a Most Valuable Player award for the NBA Cup and an all-tournament team.Here are all the nationally televised games in the group play action of the NBA Cup for the 2024-25 season.Tuesday, Nov. 12New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers, 7:30 p.m., TNTDallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m., TNTFriday, Nov. 15Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs, 7:30 p.m., ESPNMemphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m., ESPNTuesday, Nov. 19Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics, 7 p.m., TNTOklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs, 9:30 p.m., TNTFriday, Nov. 22Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets, 10 p.m., ESPNTuesday, Nov. 26Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m., TNTLos Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns, 10 p.m., TNTFriday, Nov. 29New York Knicks at Charlotte Hornets, 12 p.m., NBA TVCleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks, 2:30 p.m., NBA TVNew Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies, 5 p.m., NBA TVLos Angeles Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves, 7:30 p.m., ESPNOklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m., ESPNTuesday, Dec. 3Orlando Magic at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m., TNTGolden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets, 10 p.m., TNTTo see the complete 2024 NBA Cup group play schedule, click here.
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https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-cup-2024-group-play-schedule-announced-as-knicks-vs-76ers-mavs-vs-warriors-highlight-opening-night/
