What is the Emirates NBA Cup? 2024 Schedule, Groups, Matchups

August 30, 2024

August 30, 2024

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James lifts the NBA Cup while celebrating with teammates after they defeated the Indiana Pacers in the championship game in the NBA basketball In-Season Tournament. The NBA In-Season Tournament is now the Emirates NBA Cup. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)

The NBA’s In-Season Tournament is now the Emirates NBA Cup. Just like in 2023, all 30 NBA teams will battle for the title of NBA Cup champions in 2024 in a sequence of regular season games, featuring special courts and jerseys for each team.

With round-robin group play kicking off in November, and the final set for Las Vegas on December 17, there will be another level of intensity for these regular season games.

Here, we’ll get into everything you need to know about the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup, including the schedule, groups, and top matchups to watch.

Check out our ranking of all 30 teams' NBA In-Season Tournament courts for the 2024 NBA Cup here.

Just like all regular season games, you can build an NBA lineup of your favorite players or teams on PrizePicks by picking more or less on their projections throughout the NBA Cup 2024.

Sign up on PrizePicks with promo code “Playbook” and get $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup

What is the Emirates NBA Cup? New In-Season Tournament

The Emirates NBA Cup was previously called the NBA In-Season Tournament, which debuted during the 2023-24 NBA season. All 30 teams participate and compete to become in-season champions. Every player on the winning team receives $500,000. 

Every NBA Cup game counts toward the regular season standings. The tournament begins with round-robin Group Play in November, and culminates in the single-elimination knockout stage, and then the finals in Las Vegas. 

Emirates was announced as a sponsor for the 2024 NBA Cup in February 2024. Emirates also becomes the first referee jersey patch partner of the NBA, according to their press release. 

During the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament, every team’s home court got wild-looking special edition courts for the games. In the Group Stage, every team will have two games on their own court.

Who Won the 2023 NBA Cup?

In the first ever NBA In-Season Tournament, otherwise known as the NBA Cup, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers, 123-109, in the championship game. Of course, LeBron James had to hoist the first ever NBA Cup.

The Lakers would be eliminated in the first-round of the NBA Playoffs, while the Pacers went onto the Eastern Conference Finals, losing to the eventual champion Boston Celtics.

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Emirates NBA Cup Groups 2024

All 30 teams were drawn into groups of five teams within their conference based on their win-loss records from 2023-24. From Tuesday, Nov. 12 to Tuesday, Dec. 3, each team will play a round-robin style within their groups — two games at home, two on the road.

These Group Play games will be played on “Cup Nights”, every Tuesday and Friday from Nov. 12 to Dec. 3. Two teams from each group will advance to the knockout round.

Western Conference Group A

  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • Houston Rockets
  • Portland Trail Blazers

Western Conference Group B

  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Utah Jazz
  • San Antonio Spurs

Western Conference Group C

  • Denver Nuggets
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Memphis Grizzlies

Eastern Conference Group A

  • New York Knicks
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets

Eastern Conference Group B

  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Miami Heat
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Detroit Pistons

Eastern Conference Group C

  • Boston Celtics
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Washington Wizards

NBA Cup 2024: Top Matchups to Watch

The group stage is stacked with exciting NBA games, with more on the line than the average regular season game. Here are some nationally televised games to watch in Group Play.

  • New York Knicks @ Philadelphia 76ers — Tuesday, Nov. 12 on TNT
  • Los Angeles Lakers @ San Antonio Spurs — Friday, Nov. 15 on ESPN
  • Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics — Tuesday, Nov. 19 on TNT
  • Dallas Mavericks @ Denver Nuggets — Friday, Nov. 22 on ESPN
  • Los Angeles Lakers @ Phoenix Suns — Tuesday, Nov. 26 on TNT
  • New Orleans Pelicans @ Memphis Grizzlies — Friday, Nov. 29 on NBATV
  • Golden State Warriors @ Denver Nuggets — Tuesday, Dec. 3 on TNT

Emirates NBA Cup Schedule 2024

All Group Play games will be played in the home team’s normal NBA arena, depending on who is home or away. Semifinals and finals will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas — home of the Vegas Golden Knight and Vegas UFC events.

  • Group Play: Nov. 12 - Dec. 3 (Games on Tuesday, Friday)
  • Quarterfinals: Dec. 10-11
  • Semifinals: Saturday, Dec. 14
  • Finals: Tuesday, Dec. 17

2024 NBA Cup Courts: Unique In-Season Tournament Courts

Every team will roll out brand new unique, colorful court designs for the 2024 NBA Cup, just as they did for the 202e In-Season Tournament. See a preview of the courts below, and check out our ranking of all 30 In-Season Tournament court designs, from worst to best.

NBA In-Season Tournament Courts 2024

How to Watch the Emirates NBA Cup

The Group Stage will be hosted across several national TV outlets, including ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. See the full schedule Group Stage games below. Games not on this list will be available on NBA League Pass.

Lock In for Emirates NBA Cup on PrizePicks

Get ready for the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup, where regular seasons pack a little extra excitement. All 30 teams will fight for the in-season title bragging rights.

As the tournament gets rolling in November, you can get in on the action on PrizePicks by building your perfect lineup to win real cash prizes for every single NBA Cup game.

Sign up on PrizePicks with promo code “Playbook” and get $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup

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