Did you think that November was just leftovers from Halloween and “let’s take it easy” games? Missed. Since 2023, the NBA has decided to spice up the period where teams sleep on their feet. Welcome to the NBA Cup, the NBA version of the League Cup in the heart of the regular season. Groups, direct eliminations, Las Vegas as the final boss… here are all the explanations with our partner Hellotickets.
Launched in 2023 under the name NBA In-Season Tournamentthe idea is simple: give a real challenge to the first months of competition, when the results still look like vacation notebooks. Since 2024, a major partnership has resulted from a new name: Emirates NBA Cup. Same format, same calendar, but no more tickets in the suitcases and branding that smells of oil.
The objective is assumed: to avoid autopilot mode in November, when even the hottest fans fall asleep in front of a Hornets – Pistons.
The format: easy to understand, hard to win
The tournament brings together 30 teams, divided into 6 groups of 5 (3 in the East, 3 in the West), according to the results of the previous season. Each franchise plays 4 group matches, on Tuesdays and Fridays in November, just to establish itself in the weekly rituals. And major detail: all these matches also count in the regular season. It motivates the back bench a little more not to snooze.
The winners of each group advance to the quarter-finals, accompanied by the two best runners-up (one per conference). Then, direct elimination: quarters, semis… then final in Las Vegas, neutral ground, guaranteed jackpot.
The composition of the groups this year
The groups for this 2025 edition were formed based on the performances and rankings of the last regular season.
Western Conference:
Group A:
Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz
Group B:
Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans
Group C:
Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs
Eastern Conference:
Group A:
Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
Group B:
Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers
Group C:
Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks
The groups are set and the schedule is OUT 👀
Starting October 31, all 30 teams will compete for the Emirates 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!
See the FULL Cup… pic.twitter.com/NdMhLN8Rgv
— NBA (@NBA) August 13, 2025
The calendar
- October 31: start of hostilities
- November 28: end of group stage
- December 9: quarter-finals to get your ticket to the Final Four in Las Vegas
- December 13: semi-finals (Las Vegas)
- December 16: the final (Las Vegas)
As usual, if you want to appreciate the colorful floors of the NBA Cup up close, we have the solution to secure your entry. The Hellotickets platform allows you to buy tickets to see the NBA Cup and even the Final Four in Las Vegas on a 100% secure site and entirely in French. The view of the seat is even offered to choose your location and the tickets are digitalized to avoid hassle when sending. Who doesn’t dream of this Spurs – Warriors from November 14 ? A dream poster with Victor Wembanyama on one side, Stephen Curry on the other, and a higher stake than a classic regular season meeting.
The crux of the matter: money
Because you can love basketball and… love money too. Financial rewards turn heads:
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$514,971 per player for the champions
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205 988 $ for the finalists
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102 994 $ for the semi-finalists
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51 497 $ for the quarter-finalists
Add in a tournament MVP and an All-Tournament Team, and you have a solid reason to play hard in November, even with cotton legs.
A look back at the 2024 edition
The 2024 edition ends with the victory of the Milwaukee Bucks, who win the title after a confrontation in the final against the Oklahoma City Thunder (97-81). Giannis Antetokounmpo was named MVP of the tournament, with a triple-double in the final (26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists). The Bucks had a perfect run (0 defeats in the tournament).
The Bucks are the 2024 #EmiratesNBACup Champions! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/TiOp0m1iX7
— NBA (@NBA) December 18, 2024
What changes to the NBA season
The intensity increases where we didn’t expect much. Duels that might have smelled like reheated food suddenly become matches with direct stake. The young people want to show off, the veterans count the dollars, and the public gains in spectacle.
The purists will always find fault: “We are touching the DNA of the NBA”, “More marketing”, “Adam Silver would sell his toaster”. Except that the reality is simple: the show works!
Who’s next to make history in this year’s Emirates NBA Cup? 🏀 pic.twitter.com/sCDSpti1wq
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) October 29, 2025
At the end of the day, we find ourselves with an extra trophy to put in the cupboard and a welcome dose of intensity in the middle of November. The NBA Cup is not here to replace Larry O’Brien, just to remind you that even before Christmas, the NBA never sleeps.
Heading to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup Final Four?
