NEW YORK — The race for the NBA’s in-season hardware has officially begun. The Emirates NBA Cup 2026 launches its fourth iteration on Friday, October 30, with a loaded 10-game Group Play slate featuring custom painted courts, Statement Edition uniforms, and high-stakes regular-season action.
All 30 franchises have been split into six five-team groups—three in the Eastern Conference and three in the Western Conference. Every team will compete in four Group Play games (two home, two away) on designated “Cup Nights” every Friday through November 27, alongside special Thanksgiving-week fixtures on November 24 and 25.
How the Tournament Works
Every team plays the four other teams in its group once. All 60 Group Play matches double as regular-season games.
Eight teams advance to the single-elimination Quarterfinals—the six group winners plus one wild-card team from each conference (the best-performing second-place team).
For the first time, both the Quarterfinals (Dec. 4–5) and Semifinals (Dec. 8–9) will be played at the home arenas of the higher-seeded teams. The Championship Game moves from Las Vegas to the iconic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on December 11.
Group Breakdown & Key Matchups
Eastern Conference
Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors
Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers
Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz
LA Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder
Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs
