The Emirates NBA Cup 2024 will kick off on Tuesday, Nov. 12. This marks the NBA’s second in-season tournament, and last year’s tournament showed that this new NBA experiment worked. The event combines the excitement of regular-season games with a unique competitive structure, with a finale in Las Vegas for the semifinals and championship games. We are going to look at the format and 2024 NBA Cup schedule and determine the best games for this week’s tournament premiere.
The Best Games Week 1 of the 2024 NBA Cup Group Stage
About the NBA In-Season Tournament
The tournament has two stages: Group Play and the Knockout Rounds. All 30 NBA teams are divided into six groups based on last season’s standings. During Group Play, each team faces the others in its group once, with two games at home and two away. Teams aim to secure the best record within their group to advance to the Knockout Rounds.
EMIRATES NBA CUP EXPLAINED WITH MICHAEL IMPERIOLI & ROSARIO DAWSON 🎥
Starting Nov. 12, all 30 teams will compete in Group Play with 8 advancing into the knockout rounds! The Semifinals & Championship will be held in Las Vegas, Dec. 14 & 17!
Who will win the NBA Cup in 2024? pic.twitter.com/lAZWYD0stf
— NBA (@NBA) August 13, 2024
Eight teams will move on to the Knockout Rounds. This includes the top team from each group and one wild card team from each conference, which is the team with the best record that didn’t win its group. The Knockout Rounds, a single-elimination setup.
All games, except for the championship, will count toward regular-season standings, ensuring continuity in the season. A prize pool is set aside for players on advancing teams, and standout performers will be honored with All-Tournament Team selections and a tournament MVP award. The Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural NBA Cup last season, and from the start, it was clear that the added intrigue around these games brought early season excitement to the NBA regular season.
The Best Games from the 2024 NBA Cup Schedule Tuesday
Two games stand above the rest when it comes to this Tuesday’s group stage games. The Dallas Mavericks @ Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks @ Philadelphia 76ers are the two games with by far the most intrigue.
Steph Curry on what it will be like when Klay Thompson returns on Tuesday (via @anthonyVslater)
"We've had homecomings before, but nothing like this. The level of impact and the brand of Klay in the Bay Area is something that I don't know if any way I explain it will do it… pic.twitter.com/KH4m8U023w
— KNBR (@KNBR) November 11, 2024
The Mavericks vs Warriors game is the only matchup between two likely Western Conference playoff teams. More importantly, the game will also mark the homecoming of Klay Thompson to The Bay. Thompson’s homecoming is going to be quite the spectacle. The Warriors have planned multiple different special ways to honor the Warriors legend. Add to that the Warriors’ hot start to the season and the Mavericks being the defending Western Conference Champions, and you have a likely classic.
The other game we’ve circled is between the Knicks and the 76ers. These teams have a long-standing Eastern Conference rivalry and faced off in an epic playoff series last season. That being said, the real reason this is one of the best games of the day is that it marks the return of Joel Embiid. Embiid has missed the beginning of the season with injuries and suspension and will make his debut against New York on Tuesday. With the 76ers at a measly 2-7 and the Knicks at a not-much-better 4-5, these teams will both come out needing a win on Tuesday.
Friday’s Best Games
Friday night’s games are all about the Western Conference. All top five seeds in the conference have a game on their schedule and in the West, they are sure to be entertaining. The best matchup is between the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder. Those two are currently tied for the number one seed, and although both teams are dealing with injuries, it should be a bloodbath. Basketball junkies should also circle the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings game. These two went to overtime the last time they played. Therefore, fans should expect another down-to-the-wire match.
