The in-season tournament will also be back in the 2024/25 NBA season. But what is the NBA’s new cup competition all about? Which groups will the 30 teams be divided into? When is the game played? ran explains it
The “In-Season Tournament” is now taking place in the NBA for the second time in a row. A tournament that runs parallel to the regular season – in the style of the European football cup competitions. In addition to the Larry O’Brien Trophy from the NBA Finals, a second title has been awarded since the 2023/24 season: the “NBA Cup”.
NBA Cup live: ProSieben MAXX will broadcast a semi-final (December 14th) and the final (December 17th) on free TV and on Joyn and in the ran app
All 30 teams are taking part in the in-season tournament; the franchises have been divided into six groups. After the group phase, the competition moves into a knockout phase.
But what exactly does the new tournament mode look like? When do the games take place? And which groups were the teams divided into? Here you can find all the important information about the new “NBA In-Season Tournament” (the first games here in the live ticker).
NBA In-Season Tournament – Der Modus
For the tournament, the teams will be drawn into groups of five. Opponents are teams from your own conference, but not necessarily from your own division.
Each team plays two home and two away games. The six group winners and the best team in each conference that does not win their group advance to the knockout rounds.
If the record in the group stage is the same, the direct comparison is first used as a tiebreaker, then the difference in points counts, then the number of points scored and then the regular season record from the previous season. If all of this is the same, the decision will be made by drawing lots.
In the quarter-finals, which, unlike the playoffs, is only one game, the best-placed group winner meets the wildcard team and has home advantage, while the second-best group winner hosts the third-best group winner.
The semifinals – also just one game – and the final will finally be played on neutral ground in Las Vegas. With the exception of the final, all matches are also considered regular season games.
The 30 NBA teams were initially divided into their conference (East & West). Three groups of five were then drawn per conference. Below you can see all the groups and the current status.
NBA Cup 2024/25: The current table
Stand: 26.11.2024
Eastern Conference
Group A
1. Orlando Magic – 2 wins, 0 losses, +37 point difference
2. New York Knicks – 2 wins, 0 losses, +14 point difference
3. Philadelphia 76ers – 1 win, 2 losses, -9 points difference
4. Brooklyn Nets – 1 win, 2 losses, -16 point difference
5. Charlotte Hornets – 0 wins, 2 losses, -26 point difference
Group B
1. Milwaukee Bucks – 2 wins, 0 losses, +26 point difference
2. Detroit Pistons – 2 wins, 0 losses, +4 point difference
3. Miami Heat – 1 win, 1 loss, +37 point difference
4. Toronto Raptors – 0 wins, 2 losses, -18 point difference
5. Indiana Pacers – 0 wins, 2 losses, -25 point difference
Group C
1. Atlanta Hawks – 2 wins, 1 defeats, – 1 point difference
2. Boston Celtics – 2 wins, 1 loss, +14 point difference
3. Cleveland Cavaliers – 1 win, 1 loss, +15 point difference
4. Chicago Bulls – 1 win, 1 loss, -4 points difference
5. Washington Wizards – 0 wins, 2 losses, -24 point difference
Western Conference
1. Houston Rockets – 2 wins, 0 losses, +49 point difference
2. Portland Trail Blazers – 1 win, 1 loss, -14 points difference
3. Minnesota Timberwolves – 1 win, 1 loss, -14 points difference
4. Los Angeles Clippers – 1 win, 1 loss, -5 point difference
5. Sacramento Kings – 0 wins, 2 losses, -16 point difference
Group B
1. Los Angeles Lakers – 2 wins, 0 losses, +11 point difference
2. San Antonio Spurs – 1 win, 1 loss, +1 point difference
3. Oklahoma City Thunder – 1 win, 1 loss, +10 points difference
4. Phoenix Suns – 1 win, 1 loss, -8 points difference
5. Utah Jazz – 0 wins, 2 losses, -14 point difference
Group C
1. Golden State Warriors – 3 wins, 0 losses, +12 point difference
2. Dallas Mavericks – 2 wins, 1 loss, +41 point difference
3. New Orleans Pelicans – 1 win, 2 losses, -38 points difference
4. Denver Nuggets – 1 win, 2 losses, +2 point difference
5. Memphis Grizzlies – 0 wins, 2 losses, -17 point difference
NBA Cup: When does the competition take place?
The new NBA cup tournament started on the night of November 12th to 13th, 2024 with the first matchday of the group phase. The group stage ends on December 4, 2024.
NBA In-Season Tournament: When will the knockout phase take place?
The knockout round begins with the quarterfinal games on the night of December 10th to 11th, 2024 and ends with the championship game on December 17th, 2024.
NBA Cup 2024: When and where will the final take place?
The final of the in-season tournament will take place on December 17, 2024 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two semi-finals will also take place in Las Vegas.
NBA In-Season Tournament: The dates at a glance
Start of the group phase: December 12, 2024
End of the group phase: December 4, 2024
Quarterfinals: December 10 and 11, 2024
Halbfinale (Las Vegas): December 14, 2024
Finale (Las Vegas): December 17, 2024
NBA Cup: Will teams play more games as a result of the tournament?
No, the teams will continue to play 82 games before the NBA playoffs because the games in the in-season tournament also count as regular-season games.
Wins and losses in the tournament are counted towards the regular season standings. This applies to both the group phase and the knockout phase – with the exception of the final.
NBA In-Season Tournament: Will players be rewarded for tournament wins?
Yes, the NBA gave the tournament several bonuses.
Each player receives $50,000 for reaching the quarterfinals. Whoever makes it to the semifinals will receive $100,000. Players on the team that loses the final will receive $200,000. The NBA will pay out $500,000 per player to the winning team.
NBA In-Season Tournament: Where will the games be played?
Each team plays two home and two away games in the group stage. All 30 teams have a special parquet finish that is used for the in-season tournament games.