GROUP PLAY
FAQs
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GROUP PLAY
GROUP DRAW
GROUP PLAY
KNOCKOUT ROUNDS
All 30 teams are divided into groups of five (5) teams. Groups are decided by draw based on previous season's regular season record.
Group Play games will take place on "Cup Nights" from October 30 – November 27.
Each team plays the four (4) teams in its group once (2 at home, 2 on the road).
All Emirates NBA Cup games will count toward regular season standings, except the championship.
Semifinals - December 8 and/or December 9
Championship - December 11
Semifinals and Finals take place in Indianapolis, Indiana
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Emirates NBA Cup?
The Emirates NBA Cup (formerly the NBA In-Season Tournament) is the league’s annual in-season competition, which provides players and teams to chase another championship, engages fans in a new way and drives additional interest in the early portion of the regular-season schedule.
When is the Emirates NBA Cup 2026?
The third in-season competition will tip off on October 30 and culminate with the Championship on December 11.
Where will the Emirates NBA Cup 2026 be played?
All competition games will be played in NBA team markets except the Semifinals and Championship, both of which will be held at a neutral site (Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis).
Which teams will participate in the Emirates NBA Cup?
All 30 teams will participate in the first stage of the competition, Group Play. Each team will play one game against each of the four opponents in its group. The six group winners and one wild card from each conference will advance to the single-elimination Knockout Rounds.
What does the champion of the Emirates NBA Cup receive?
The champion will receive a trophy, the NBA Cup. In addition, a prize pool will be allocated to players on teams that qualify for the Knockout Rounds, with allocations increasing depending on how far a team progresses in the competition.
Will top performers from the Emirates NBA Cup be honored?
After the Championship is played, a media panel will select the Most Valuable Player of the Emirates NBA Cup and the All-Tournament Team. Selection will be based on the players’ performance in both Group Play and the Knockout Rounds.
Why are there two games labeled as “TBD” on each team’s regular-season schedule?
Every team will play two regular-season games (including the Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinals and Semifinals for qualifying teams) from Dec. 10-16. The 22 teams that do not qualify for the Knockout Rounds will play two regular-season games on off nights during the Knockout Rounds (Dec. 12 or 13 and Dec. 15 or 16). The four teams that lose in the Quarterfinals will play a regular-season game on Dec. 12, 13, 15 or 16.
How can I watch the Emirates NBA Cup?
All Knockout Round Games on Prime.
FAQs
GROUP DRAW
vs TORONTO RAPTORS
FRI. OCTOBER 31
7:30 PM
GROUP PLAY
FAQs
NEW YORK KNICKS PHILADELPHIA 76ERS MIAMI HEAT INDIANA PACERS
at WASHINGTON WIZARDS
FRI. NOVEMBER 7
7:00 PM
vs INDIANA PACERS
FRI. NOVEMBER 21
7:00 PM
*Prime Broadcast
at ATLANTA HAWKS
FRI. NOVEMBER 28
7:30 PM
GROUP PLAY SCHEDULE
L 112-101
FIND TICKETS
W 120-109
WATCH
WATCH
L 112-101
W 148-115
L 123-130
