2026 NBA Cup Begins Group Play on October 30 with All 30 Teams
The 2026 NBA Cup starts October 30, with teams competing in Group Play for knockout rounds.
INDIANAPOLIS, Oct 31: The 2026 NBA Cup begins with Group Play starting on October 30, featuring all 30 teams split into six groups of five. The first games will be aired on Prime Video and NBA League Pass, marking the league’s fourth annual in-season tournament.
In Group Play, each team will face the other four teams in their group over four weeks. Teams can qualify for the Knockout Rounds by either winning their group or securing the best second-place record in their conference based on win-loss record and point differential.
Eight teams will advance to the Knockout Rounds, which will be a single-elimination tournament. This year’s competition format remains similar to previous years, with teams vying for the title and prize money.
Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse acknowledged the competitiveness of their group, stating, “We want to play well.” The Sixers are in Group B along with the Knicks, Cavaliers, Heat, and Pacers, demonstrating a challenging path as they aim to advance beyond the Group Play stage for the first time.
The Houston Rockets, entering the Cup with a 5-0 record, are heavy favorites in their group, facing the Mavericks, Nuggets, Suns, and Jazz. According to NBA media, most expect the Rockets to dominate, though they must maintain intensity throughout the tournament.
As teams prepare for their opening matchups, the NBA Cup promises to elevate the stakes of early season games, with each contest impacting regular-season standings. The first game features the defending champion Knicks against the Sixers, highlighting the high level of competition.
Each game, except for the final championship match, will count towards regular-season records, adding further pressure on teams to perform well. The stakes are clear: a single loss could jeopardize a team’s chances at advancing.
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Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.