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NBA Cup quarterfinals: Bucks-Magic, Knicks-Hawks, Rockets-Warriors, Thunder-Mavericks

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 05: LeBron James #23 talks with Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers in front of Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns in the second half during the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals at Crypto.com Arena on December 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Milwaukee and New York have clinched spots in the NBA Cup quarterfinals once again, while six other teams—Oklahoma City, Golden State, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, and Orlando—make their first appearances at this stage.

Orlando secures wild-card spot after thrilling finish

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 04: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic celebrates a foul call during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 04, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

The Magic narrowly secured their wild-card spot by outscoring the Knicks 40-18 in the final stretch of their game. Despite losing by 15 on the scoreboard, Orlando’s point differential helped them advance past Boston. “We earned our way into the quarterfinals,” said Magic forward Franz Wagner.

Oklahoma City edges Phoenix for top spot in West

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – DECEMBER 3: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives the ball during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center on December 3, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Oklahoma City’s victory over Utah gave them the West Group B title, and they surpassed Phoenix in point differential to become the top seed in the West. “I just know I want to win,” said Thunder guard Cason Wallace, as the team prepares for their upcoming quarterfinal matchup against Dallas.

NBA Cup quarterfinals schedule announced

The NBA Cup quarterfinals are set to begin on December 10 with Orlando visiting Milwaukee and Dallas facing Oklahoma City. On December 11, Atlanta will take on New York, and Golden State will visit Houston.

Regular season games added for teams not in the NBA Cup

For the teams that didn’t qualify for the NBA Cup quarterfinals, additional regular season games have been scheduled. A list of those games is as follows:

Dec. 12: Detroit at Boston, Toronto at Miami, Sacramento at New Orleans
Dec. 13: Washington at Cleveland, Indiana at Philadelphia, L.A. Lakers at Minnesota, Brooklyn at Memphis, Charlotte at Chicago, L.A. Clippers at Denver, Phoenix at Utah, San Antonio at Portland
Dec. 15: New Orleans at Indiana, Boston at Washington, Minnesota at San Antonio, Portland at Phoenix, Memphis at L.A. Lakers
Dec. 16: Philadelphia at Charlotte, Miami at Detroit, Chicago at Toronto, Cleveland at Brooklyn, Denver at Sacramento, Utah at L.A. Clippers

Teams that lose in the quarterfinals will face each other in regular-season games on December 15 or 16.

Tamara Fellner