The National Basketball Association is gearing up for another season, and with it comes the third iteration of the NBA Cup, officially known as the In-Season Tournament. The draw has been completed, revealing the group stage matchups and outlining the path to the final showcase in Las Vegas. This competition, established to add a new layer of excitement during the regular season, is quickly becoming a fixture on the league calendar.
The 2025 NBA Cup: Format and Key Dates
The group stage of the 2025 NBA Cup is scheduled to tip off on October 31 and will run through November 28. Following the group phase, eight teams will advance to the knockout rounds. The quarterfinals are set for December 9 and 10, with the victorious teams heading to Las Vegas for the Final Four. The semifinals will take place on December 13, culminating in the championship game on December 16 in Sin City. The Los Angeles Lakers claimed the inaugural trophy two years ago, while the Milwaukee Bucks were the champions last season.
The 30 NBA teams have been divided into six groups of five, split evenly between the Eastern and Western Conferences. The winners of each group, along with the best second-place team from each conference, will qualify for the single-elimination knockout stage. Here`s how the groups have been drawn:
Eastern Conference Groups:
- Group A: Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
- Group B: Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers
- Group C: Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets
Western Conference Groups:
- Group A: Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz
- Group B: Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans
- Group C: Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs
Teams will play four predetermined group stage games (two at home, two on the road) that also count towards their regular season standings. The structure promises intense competition as teams vie for advancement and the chance to lift the NBA Cup trophy.
Mega Deals: Thunder Secure Key Talent
Beyond the tournament draw, significant news continues to emerge from around the league regarding player contracts. The Oklahoma City Thunder, a team building on recent success, have made substantial financial commitments to their young core. Chet Holmgren, the 23-year-old center who was the second overall pick in the 2022 draft, has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract extension potentially worth up to $250 million.
This figure represents a considerable investment, reflective of the current market value for players with Holmgren`s potential. While his playoff performance last season, averaging 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds, demonstrated solid production, the contract clearly signals the Thunder`s belief in his long-term future and development. It`s a sign of the times in the NBA, where teams are willing to pay top dollar to retain perceived franchise cornerstones. OKC recently also extended their star guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with a massive four-year, $285 million deal through 2031, underlining their strategy to secure their key players for the foreseeable future. Investing heavily in potential is a common, albeit sometimes risky, approach in the modern league landscape.
Former Player Ben McLemore Sentenced
In sobering news from outside the playing arena, former NBA guard Ben McLemore has been sentenced to over eight years in prison. The sentence stems from a rape incident that occurred in October 2021 in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The victim was a 23-year-old woman, and the incident reportedly took place during a party at the home of Robert Covington, who was McLemore`s teammate on the Portland Trail Blazers at the time.
McLemore, who was the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, played nine seasons in the league for five different teams, including a notable stint with the Sacramento Kings. After his NBA career concluded in 2022, the 32-year-old continued playing internationally in China, Greece, and Spain. McLemore has maintained his plea of not guilty regarding the charges. This development serves as a stark and unfortunate reminder of serious legal matters that can sometimes affect individuals associated with professional sports leagues.
As teams prepare for the NBA Cup and the upcoming regular season, these diverse headlines highlight the varied facets of the league, from competitive structure and player economics to serious issues away from the court.
Adrian Whitmore