Last year, the New York Knicks did something wild, grabbing both the NBA Cup and the NBA Championship. Seriously, that was the first time an NBA Cup champ actually went on to snag the big one, and it just cranked the stakes way, way up for the in-season tournament. Suddenly, this thing isn’t just some November exhibition anymore. Fans totally have an extra reason to care, and honestly, who doesn’t want more high-stakes basketball?
The Hunt for the Cup: Groups, Dates, and That Championship Vibe
This year, the NBA Cup is back for 2026, and it’s already looking bigger. Teams get sorted into six groups, each with five squads, and they battle it out all through November. Then, it’s knockout time in December, leading right up to the championship game on December 11. And check this out: the title game is heading to Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. That’s a legendary spot, right? Talk about bringing some history to a newer tournament. The whole thing kicks off its group play on October 30. We’re talking multiple games that first night, including Hornets at Wizards, Bulls at Celtics, and even Lakers at Warriors. Get ready to dive in from day one!
Shell Out Some Serious Cash to Catch the Action
If you’re looking to catch these games live, tickets for the 2026 NBA Cup are already up for grabs on StubHub. And man, some of these prices are no joke. For the championship game, the “get-in” price is currently a hefty $700. Yeah, you read that right. Seven hundred bucks just to get in the door for the final! Group and knockout stage games will obviously vary, but that championship ticket price tells you everything about how much this tournament has grown in importance. With that kind of investment, you know the atmosphere is gonna be electric.
Here’s how those groups shook out for this year, totally random style:
* **West Group A:** Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz
* **West Group B:** Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies
* **West Group C:** San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings
* **East Group A:** Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets
* **East Group B:** New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers
* **East Group C:** Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards
It all begins with group play on October 30, and it rolls through November before those knockout rounds hit in December. That championship game on December 11 in Indianapolis? It’s gonna be wild. Everyone’s gonna be watching to see who can even come close to what the Knicks pulled off last year. Can another team turn an NBA Cup win into an NBA Championship run? We’ll see who steps up!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply