Adam Silver has unveiled the official group draw for the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup, setting the stage for the league-wide tournament that begins October 31. The competition, formerly known as the In-Season Tournament, will feature all 30 NBA teams competing through December 16, with the semifinals and championship held in Las Vegas.
The format divides teams into six groups based on conference alignment, with matchups scheduled on designated Tournament Nights from late October through November. Group winners plus one wild-card team from each conference will advance to the single-elimination Knockout Round starting December 9-10.
Analysts are already identifying potential paths to victory for championship contenders. The Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets appear to have drawn the most challenging group, sharing it with Golden State, San Antonio, and Portland. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks (grouped with Charlotte, Miami, Chicago, and Milwaukee) and Cleveland Cavaliers (facing Atlanta, Indiana, Toronto, and Washington) should have clearer routes through the group stage.
While official odds haven't been released yet, basketball insiders expect the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and New York Knicks - currently the top five favorites for the NBA Finals - to be frontrunners for the Cup as well.
The tournament structure remains similar to previous editions, with games on designated nights counting toward both regular season standings and Cup qualification. Teams advancing to the Knockout Round will receive portions of a prize pool, with awards also planned for Tournament MVP and an All-Tournament Team.
Will this third edition of the NBA's mid-season tournament continue building momentum for what has become an intriguing addition to the basketball calendar? Fans won't have to wait long to find out when the action tips off this fall.
