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2024 NBA CUP

The formerly known In-Season Tournament returns in 2024 rebranded as the NBA Cup! As teams await the full 2024-25 season schedule to be announced in the coming days, today the NBA revealed the NBA Cup Group Play game dates.

The second annual tournament tips off on November 12 with round-robin style Group Play games. Like last season, eight teams will advance to the single-elimination Knockout Rounds consisting of the Quarterfinals hosted in NBA team markets, followed by the Semifinals and Championship in Las Vegas.

Tournament Timeline

  • Group Play - November 12-December 3 (NBA team markets)
  • *Quarterfinals - December 10-11 (NBA team markets)
  • *Semifinals - December 14 (Las Vegas)
  • *Championship - December 17 (Las Vegas)

*Knockout Round games. The 22 teams that do not qualify for the Knockout Rounds will each play two regular-season games between Dec.12-13 and Dec.15-16 in NBA team markets.

How does it work?

  • The 15 teams in each conference were divided into three groups of five teams via a random drawing: West A, West B, West C, East A, East B, and East C. The Celtics are in East Group C with opponents being the Cavaliers, Bulls, Hawks, and Wizards.
  • Group Play "Cup Nights" will take place every Tuesday and Friday from Nov. 12-Dec. 3. Each team will play four Group Play games - one game against each opponent in its group, with two games at home and two on the road. Group Play games also count as regular-season games for all purposes.
  • Eight teams will advance to the Knockout Rounds: the team with the best standing in Group Play games in each of the six groups and two "wild cards" (the team from each conference with the best record in Group Play games that finished second in its group).
  • The Knockout Rounds will consist of single-elimination games for the eight teams that advance from Group Play, beginning with the Quarterfinals on Dec. 10-11 played in NBA team markets. Teams that win will advance to the Semifinals on Dec. 14, and then the Championship on Dec. 17 - both of which will be hosted at a neutral Las Vegas site. These qualifying teams will compete for a prize pool and the NBA Cup trophy. The 22 teams that do not qualify for the Knockout Rounds will each play two regular-season games between Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 15-16 in NBA team markets. 

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