The Emirates NBA Cup returns for its third edition. The tournament started on October 31 and will conclude with the championship game in December. All 30 NBA teams were randomly placed into six groups of five within their conferences based on their 2024-25 season records.
Each team plays four group-stage games. The top team in each group plus two wild-card teams advance to the knockout round. All NBA Cup games, except the championship, count towards the regular season standings. Prize money increases based on how far teams progress in the knockout rounds.
The NBA Cup format allows all group games to impact the regular season, while awarding prize money that grows as teams advance.
Summary: The NBA Cup’s third season features 30 teams split into groups, with games influencing regular season standings and rewarding players based on their team’s progression in the knockout phase.