With the dawn of a new NBA season on the horizon, the league has added an exciting twist to its established format: the Emirates NBA Cup. The freshly-unveiled schedule for the 2024-25 season promises unmissable matchups, standout performances, and a captivating journey through the group stages to the exhilarating finale in Las Vegas.
Key Matchups Highlight the NBA Cup
Set your calendars for November 12, as Klay Thompson will be stepping on the court in San Francisco, not as a Warrior but as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. Thompson, fresh off signing a three-year, $50 million contract with Dallas this off-season, will face his former team in what promises to be one of the most emotional matchups of the season. This game is one of many that mark the official start of the NBA Cup journey.
The Cup’s group stages, scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays, commence on November 12, with additional group stage dates on November 19, 26, and December 3. Each team will play four group-stage games, battling for a place in the knockout rounds. Organized into six groups – East Group A, East Group B, East Group C, West Group A, West Group B, and West Group C – each group consists of five teams aiming for basketball supremacy in this newly introduced competition.
Early Contenders and Exciting Clashes
The opening night sets the stage with a classic Eastern Conference rivalry as the New York Knicks face the Philadelphia 76ers in the first game of a national doubleheader. This high-stakes contest will be closely followed by the spotlighted matchups involving the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies, and the Lakers taking on the San Antonio Spurs on November 15.
The Lakers’ schedule continues with a showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Los Angeles on November 29, coinciding with the LA Clippers’ trip to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves that same night. The jam-packed evening also features the Knicks clashing with the Hornets, the Cavaliers battling the Hawks, and the Pelicans visiting the Grizzlies.
Path to the Knockout Rounds
As teams contest their group stage fixtures, each side will vie for a top position within their group. The best second-place finisher from each conference will advance to the knockout rounds, which include the highly-anticipated quarterfinals on December 10 and 11. These games will take place at the home venues of the higher-seeded squads, adding a layer of fervor and hometown pride to the mix.
Beyond the quarterfinals, the competition escalates swiftly with the semifinals and grand final held in Las Vegas on December 14 and 17. The venue change promises a spectacle of high-octane basketball in a city synonymous with entertainment and grandeur.
Notable Dates and Destinations
Throughout the group stage, marquee matchups are sprinkled across the schedule. On November 19, fans can catch the Cavaliers facing the Celtics in Boston and the Thunder taking on the Spurs in San Antonio. November 26 brings the Bucks to Miami to battle the Heat and the Lakers to Phoenix for a duel with the Suns. The final group stage date, December 3, features the Magic playing the Knicks at Madison Square Garden and the Warriors meeting the Nuggets in Denver.
Anticipation Builds for a New Era in the NBA
The NBA Cup represents an innovative addition to the league’s competitive landscape, injecting fresh enthusiasm and offering teams an opportunity to showcase their talents in a new format. As the teams prepare for their journeys in this novel tournament, basketball fans around the world eagerly anticipate the thrilling narratives, gripping contests, and unforgettable moments that the inaugural Emirates NBA Cup will undoubtedly deliver.
Stay tuned as the countdown begins to an exhilarating season and a revolutionary chapter in NBA history.