2025 NBA Cup Tournament Matchup Arrangements
The NBA has revealed the matchup arrangements for the upcoming 2025 NBA Cup tournament, scheduled to kick off on October 31. Reigning champions Milwaukee Bucks are set to face off against four key Eastern Conference rivals:
- New York Knicks
- Chicago Bulls
- Miami Heat
- Charlotte Hornets
During the group stage, the tournament’s group play will extend until November 28, with subsequent quarterfinal rounds taking place on December 9 and 10, followed by the semifinals on December 13 in Las Vegas. The grand finale will occur on December 16, also in Las Vegas, although this championship match will not affect the official records or statistics of the competing teams.
Group Stage Participation
Each team in the group stage can expect to participate in four games: two on their home turf and two as visitors. For squads that do not advance to the quarterfinals or semifinals, their seasons will still include additional contests against other teams not qualifying for playoff contention, ensuring that all teams complete a full 82-game regular season.
Impact on Regular Season Records
It is important to note that while the tournament’s quarterfinal and semifinal games will contribute to the teams’ regular season records, the championship game will not. Full details of the NBA’s schedule for the 2025-26 season, including the complete match schedules, will be available in August as the league announces its plans for the year.
Group Assignments
The group assignments for this season’s tournament are as follows:
- Eastern Conference Group A: Cleveland, Indiana, Atlanta, Toronto, and Washington.
- Eastern Conference Group B: Boston, Detroit, Orlando, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia.
- Eastern Conference Group C: Milwaukee, New York, Chicago, Miami, and Charlotte.
- Western Conference Group A: Oklahoma City, Minnesota, Sacramento, Phoenix, and Utah.
- Western Conference Group B: LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Memphis, Dallas, and New Orleans.
- Western Conference Group C: Houston, Denver, Golden State, Portland, and San Antonio.
