Starting 5: Emirates NBA Cup Group Play is here

Fresh paint. Bright lights. Bigger stakes.

The Emirates NBA Cup is back. And the stage is set for another epic run.

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5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

Emirates NBA Cup 101: What you need to know before the chase begins tonight

Cup Night On Prime: East rivals reunite in Philly, Steph & Luka duel in SF

Stories To Watch: NBA.com’s Brian Martin has the storylines to watch entering the Emirates NBA Cup, including the young talents taking their shot

NBA Cup Spotlight: Our six-group tour concludes with a look at West B & C

Grizzlies Roar: Cameron Boozer’s first-triple double keeps Memphis undefeated

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BUT FIRST … ⏰

A Prime doubleheader tips off the first Cup Night as the 76ers welcome the defending Cup champion Knicks (7:30 ET), before the Warriors host the Lakers (10 ET).

Eight more games get underway on League Pass, with all six groups in action.

W Finals Game 7 Set: The Dream defeated the Valkyries 80-69 in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday by using a dominant 1st quarter to force a winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday (8 ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC), with both franchises seeking their first title.

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1. EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2026 EMIRATES NBA CUP

Thirty teams enter. Eight advance. One takes home the hardware.

The 2026 Emirates NBA Cup begins tonight, with 20 teams in action on the first of seven Cup Nights over the next 28 days.

• The Basics: The fourth annual in-season competition gives all 30 teams another championship to chase while driving energy and intensity early in the regular season
• The Format: The 30 teams are split into six groups of five, with three groups per conference. Each team faces the other four in its group once during Group Play
• The Road To Eight: The winners of each group – plus the top second-place team in each conference (the Wild Card) – advance to the eight-team Knockout Round
• Win Or Go Home: It’s a single-elimination bracket from there, with the Quarterfinals (Dec. 4-5) and Semifinals (Dec. 8-9) played in NBA team markets, with each game at the home arena of the higher seed

Hinkle Awaits: The last two teams standing will meet at Butler’s historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for the Championship Game on Dec. 11, with the winner claiming the NBA Cup.

• A Storied Stage: From Oscar Robertson’s high school state titles to its starring role in Hoosiers, Hinkle has nearly a century of basketball history. Explore how the iconic venue is set to add to its legacy
• NBA Cup U: With a college campus hosting the Championship, NBA stars are headed back to school with their eyes on the prize in the NBA and Prime Video’s Emirates NBA Cup University

What makes the Emirates NBA Cup special?

For one, the stakes go up. The first three tournaments have brought Playoff-like energy to the early regular season, producing memorable moments and matchups that carry well beyond December.

• Brewing Rivalry: In last year’s Cup Semifinals, Victor Wembanyama returned from injury to help San Antonio knock off a 24-1 OKC squad, foreshadowing their eventual seven-game Western Conference Finals showdown
• Finals Preview: The Spurs then met the Knicks in the Championship, where Jalen Brunson and New York claimed the Cup. Six months later, the two sides met again, this time with the Larry O’Brien Trophy on the line

The look is different, too. Each game is played on a uniquely designed court – one for every team – that puts the trophy front and center, with bold team colors and distinct designs inspired by each franchise’s identity.

The purpose? A reminder that these games hit different.

• “It’s electric,” said Brunson, last year’s NBA Cup MVP. “It kind of brings you back to college because it’s win or go home.”
• “Obviously, it is a good indicator,” said Wembanyama of the Cup. “We want to win it … because it’s the best way to prepare ourselves for what’s next.”

The stage is set. The stars are ready. Let the chase begin.

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2. CUP NIGHT ON PRIME: EAST RIVALS & WEST BUCKETS

It was a celebration 53 years in the making: the Knicks raising their championship banner to the rafters of Madison Square Garden.

It was a celebration Philly spoiled: defeating New York 106-100 that same night.

Ten days later (7:30 ET, Prime), the two rivals meet again, this time in Philly, as the Knicks open their NBA Cup title defense in an East Group B showdown.

• Star Power: When these teams met on Opening Night, their starting lineups featured a combined 47 career All-Star selections, including 38 from Philadelphia alone
• Philly Fuel: Yet on a team featuring LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown, it’s 25-year-old Tyrese Maxey who’s emerged as the driving force behind the Sixers’ 4-1 start

Maxey has led Philly in scoring in four of its five games, averaging a career-high 28.4 points.

But it’s his command in crunch time that’s turning heads, writes NBA.com’s Shaun Powell.

“For the Philadelphia 76ers, there are options … But throughout the course of 48 minutes, and especially late in close games, Tyrese Maxey seems most qualified, strangely enough on a team with multiple Kia MVPs and NBA Finals MVPs.

“At his current rate this season — it’s a small sample size, however — Maxey could generate MVP chatter for himself.” | Read More

Jalen Brunson is no stranger to big moments, either. His latest act came Wednesday, when he scored 14 of his 38 points in the 4th quarter to complete a 19-point New York rally over Chicago, securing the Knicks’ second straight win.

Now, Brunson leads New York into Philly for a rivalry rematch, with the banner celebration behind them and the chase for a second NBA Cup ahead.

On the same night Brunson went for 38, Steph Curry poured in 44 to beat Minnesota.

To cap Prime’s doubleheader (10 ET), Curry leads Golden State against the Lakers as the Dubs seek their third straight win.

And the NBA’s all-time 3-point leader has a knack for putting on a show when Cup play rolls around.

• 2024: On the first night of Group Play, Curry delivered the last 10 points to close out the Mavericks.
• 2025: A year later, he erupted for 49 points and nine 3s, handing San Antonio its only Group Play loss

“I’ve been watching him for so long that it never surprises me when he gets hot,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr on Wednesday, after Curry scored 40 in the final three quarters.

“What makes him special is it can happen at any time.”

Luka Dončić can also erupt at any time. Lately, it seems to happen more times than not.

• Luka Magic: Through four games, the reigning scoring champ is averaging a league-best 36 ppg, including an NBA season-high 52 to beat Utah on Sunday
• Big Additions: Six other Lakers are averaging double figures, including newcomers Walker Kessler (14.8), Collin Sexton (12), Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili (10.2 apiece)
• Big Results: That’s helped propel Los Angeles to 123.2 ppg, the 1st-most in the NBA, while ranking 1st in field goal percentage (52.9%)

Which team will fill it up tonight?

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3. CUP CHECKLIST: 10 THINGS TO WATCH

Every game is pivotal. Every point matters.

That’s the reality of the Emirates NBA Cup, where no team with two Group Play losses has ever reached the Knockout Rounds, and point differential can decide who advances.

With 10 games tipping off tonight, NBA.com’s Brian Martin breaks down 10 things to watch as the chase for the Cup begins.

Below are three storylines from his watch list, touching on the young talents seeking their first Emirates NBA Cup.

Hornets at Wizards (East Group C | 7 ET | League Pass): AJ Dybantsa’s NBA debut was delayed a week due to an ankle injury, but the No. 1 overall pick did not disappoint in his first action on Wednesday, dropping 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting in 27 minutes. However, that effort came in a 121-111 loss to the Cavs. Tonight, Dybantsa will look to secure his first-ever NBA (and NBA Cup) victory when the Wizards host the Hornets.

Bulls at Celtics (East Group C | 7:30 ET | League Pass): On Tuesday, Jayson Tatum hit his seventh career game-winner in the final three seconds — the most in the league since the 2018-19 season. He and the Celtics return to action tonight as they host a Bulls team featuring No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson, who is one of three rookies averaging over 20 points, while leading the 2026 class in both steals and blocks.

Rockets at Mavericks (West Group A | 8 ET | League Pass): It’s an all-Texas showdown to open Group Play for the undefeated Rockets (5-0) and rising Mavericks (3-2, won two straight). Reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg joins Tatum and Dončić as the only players averaging at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists so far this season. Houston’s young stars – Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson — have also started strong. But don’t forget the point guard matchup in this one as Dallas’ Kyrie Irving and Houston’s Fred VanVleet are both back after missing all of last season.

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4. NBA CUP SPOTLIGHT: INSIDE WEST GROUPS B & C

With the NBA Cup hours away, we’re wrapping up our tour of all six groups as NBA.com’s Brian Martin breaks down the final two: West Groups B and C.

In West Group B, the Thunder, Wolves, Clippers, Pelicans and Grizzlies make up a pack of established contenders and young teams looking to make a statement, writes Martin:

“In head-to-head matchups among West Group B teams last season, the Thunder swept the season series against the Grizzlies, Clippers, and Pelicans, but split with the Wolves. Those results added up to an 11-2 group mark.

“Can OKC find similar success against these teams in Group Play? Or will a team like Minnesota — with the addition of All-Star LaMelo Ball — be able to challenge them over the next four weeks?” | Read More

In West Group C, Martin examines a star-studded field – the Spurs, Lakers, Blazers, Warriors and Kings – featuring two teams with a history of deep NBA Cup runs:

“The Lakers and Spurs have achieved the most success in the NBA Cup among the group. L.A. won in the inaugural in-season competition in 2023, while the Spurs finished as runner-up in 2025.

“Both teams won their respective groups a year ago and will look to repeat that success in 2026.” | Read More

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5. THURSDAY HOOPS: BOOZER’S FIRST TRIPLE-DOUBLE HELPS GRIZZ STAY UNDEFEATED

Two of the three remaining undefeated teams faced off Thursday night, as Ja Morant’s Trail Blazers hosted his former squad.

Even with those stories buzzing, No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer stole the show.

Grizzlies 124, Trail Blazers 103: Boozer (18 pts, 12 reb, 12 ast) put up his first career triple-double as Memphis remained undefeated, earning their best start since 2014, and handed Portland its first loss. | Recap

• Youth Be Served: Boozer — No. 1 on the first Kia Rookie Ladder of the season — is the second-youngest player and the fifth teenager in NBA history to record a triple-double, joining Luka Dončić, Josh Giddey, LaMelo Ball and Markelle Fultz
• Depth, Indeed: After a tight first half, which featured seven lead changes, Memphis took control, spurred by a 56-32 advantage in bench points. Eight Grizzlies scored in double figures
• Deni On The Drive: Deni Avdija (24 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast) led the Blazers’ offense

Hawks 114, Cavaliers 111: Donovan Mitchell (22 pts) had two chances to tie it at the buzzer, but Atlanta survived, bolstered by a strong night from Onyeka Okongwu (29 pts, 12 reb) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (25 pts). | Recap

• The Beard: James Harden (24 pts, 4 ast, 3 3PM) had his highest-scoring game of the season
• Gliding: The Hawks trailed 28-16 after one, but retook the lead in the second quarter and never fell behind again

Pelicans 132, Kings 120: Seven Pelicans scored in double figures as they took their first win of the season, led by Zion Williamson (22 pts on 10-for-12 FG) and Jeremiah Fears (22 pts, 13 ast). | Recap

• Halloween Fears: Fears did it all with 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 blocks, and 3 3PM
• Sparking The Squad: Herb Jones (16 pts, 2 stl) was a team-high +27 — no other Pelican was better than +9
• A Kingly Effort: Darius Acuff Jr. (34 pts, 6 reb, 14 ast) put up his second 30+ point performance of the season, and became the 4th teenager in NBA history with a 30/10 game, joining LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Stephon Marbury

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