Warriors clinch spot in NBA Cup quarterfinals
The Golden State Warriors became the first team to secure a place in the NBA Cup quarterfinals after a strong 3-0 performance in West Group C. With their victory over New Orleans, the Warriors have ensured their presence in the final eight, while the Pelicans, a semifinalist last season, were eliminated.
Format and schedule for the NBA Cup
The NBA Cup, previously known as the In-Season Tournament, involves all 30 teams competing in group-stage games. The top eight teams advance to the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals and a final in Las Vegas on December 17. The championship game is considered an extra match and will not count toward regular-season statistics or standings.
- Quarterfinals: December 10-11
- Semifinals: December 14 in Las Vegas
- Final: December 17 in Las Vegas
Games are broadcast on TNT, ESPN, NBA TV, and local channels where permitted.
Betting favorites and group leaders
New York Knicks are the current favorites (+550), led by standout performances from Jalen Brunson. Other betting leaders include the Lakers, Celtics, and Rockets. Here’s a breakdown of group standings:
- East Group A: Orlando and New York lead at 2-0.
- East Group B: Milwaukee and Detroit are 2-0.
- East Group C: Atlanta and Boston share the lead at 2-1.
- West Group A: Houston tops the group at 2-0.
- West Group B: Lakers dominate at 2-0.
- West Group C: Golden State is 3-0, securing a quarterfinal berth.
Top individual performances
Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox leads the scoring with a 60-point performance, while Anthony Davis and Tyler Herro are among the players with 40+ point games. Additionally, there have been seven triple-doubles this season, surpassing last year’s total.
What’s at stake?
Players on the championship-winning team will earn $514,971 each, with smaller payouts for semifinalists and quarterfinalists. The pride of winning and lifting the NBA Cup trophy is also on the line, along with added attention to the league’s new tournament format.
Upcoming key matchups
- Tuesday: Bucks vs. Heat, Lakers vs. Suns
- Friday: Five games, starting at noon EST, including Celtics vs. Bulls and Clippers vs. Timberwolves
Tournament quirks
Teams eliminated early will play additional games to round out their 82-game regular-season schedules. Fans can identify Cup games by the unique courts used for these matchups, adding a distinct flair to the tournament experience.
Stay tuned as the race for the NBA Cup intensifies!
