Maybe this is the season the NBA Cup really takes hold of the basketball audience.
This year’s quarterfinals for the NBA’s in-season tournament have set up nicely, with a mix of expected title contenders and early-season surprises advancing past this year’s group stage. Eight teams ‒ four from the Western Conference and four from the Eastern Conference ‒ advanced from group play and sit just three wins away from taking home the $500,000 prize that’s on the line for each player on the winning team.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Orlando Magic are among the favorites left in the bracket, while the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors look to continue their better-than-expected starts to the 2025-26 campaign.
Here’s everything to know heading into the knockout rounds, including matchups and schedule for the quarterfinals and the final standings after group play:
Final NBA Cup group play standings
*- indicates a team that advanced to the quarterfinals
East Group A
Toronto Raptors (4-0)*
Atlanta Hawks (2-2)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2-2)
Indiana Pacers (1-3)
Washington Wizards (1-3)
East Group B
Orlando Magic (4-0)*
Boston Celtics (2-2)
Detroit Pistons (2-2)
Philadelphia 76ers (1-3)
Brooklyn Nets (1-3)
East Group C
New York Knicks (3-1)*
Miami Heat (3-1)*
Milwaukee Bucks (2-2)
Charlotte Hornets (1-3)
Chicago Bulls (1-3)
West Group A
Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0)*
Phoenix Suns (3-1)*
Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2)
Utah Jazz (1-3)
Sacramento Kings (0-4)
West Group B
Los Angeles Lakers (4-0)*
Memphis Grizzlies (3-1)
Los Angeles Clippers (2-2)
Dallas Mavericks (1-3)
New Orleans Pelicans (0-4)
West Group C
San Antonio Spurs (3-1)*
Denver Nuggets (2-2)
Houston Rockets (2-2)
Portland Trail Blazers (2-2)
Golden State Warriors (1-3)
NBA Cup knockout stage schedule
*All knockout stage games will stream on Amazon Prime
Quarterfinals
Tuesday, Dec. 9
Miami Heat at Orlando Magic, 6 p.m. ET
New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors, 8:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Dec. 10
Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder, 7:30 p.m. ET
San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m. ET
Semifinals
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 9 p.m. ET
Finals
Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 8:30 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada