Are LA Lakers out of NBA Cup contention? Understanding rules and format for knockout round qualification

The LA Lakers lost to the OKC Thunder 101-93 on Friday night in their final group game of the Emirates NBA Cup. The Lakers needed a win to have a chance at progressing to the knockout rounds. Are the defending NBA Cup winners out of the tournament?

According to Lakers beat reporter Mike Trudell, the Lakers are essentially eliminated from contention for the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup. The loss dropped the Purple and Gold to 2-2 in group play, with the Thunder, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs tied at 2-1.

There's a minute chance the Lakers will move on, but due to their -22 point differential, they will need all the stars to align for it to happen. This means they need the other teams to get blown out by a lot of points, which is nearly impossible.

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How can the LA Lakers advance?

How can the LA Lakers advance? (Photo: IMAGN)

With a record of 2-2 in the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup, the LA Lakers are virtually eliminated from contention. The Lakers need the miracles of all miracles to happen, but it's unlikely to happen. They will need help from teams are don't care about them.

First, the Utah Jazz will need the OKC Thunder by more than 40 points for them to have a shot at second place in West Group B. The San Antonio Spurs or Phoenix Suns also need to beat each other by more than 40 points to keep the Lakers alive.

And by some chance the Lakers are tied with three other teams with their group for second place, they still need to get through hurdles. Only one second-place team in the West is advancing to the knockout rounds.

The Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks need to lose their final group game to force a lot of ties. But even if it happens, the point differential comes into play. The Lakers have a -22 PD, so they need all the luck in the world.

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What's next for the LA Lakers?

The LA Lakers are likely shifting their focus on improving the team heading into December and possibly looking at making a trade ahead of the February deadline. The Lakers need a reliable 3-and-D guy since Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and Jarred Vanderbilt only provide one or the other.

To start December, the Lakers are on a four-game road trip that starts in Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz. They then face the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves before flying to South Beach to battle the Miami Heat. They finish off the trip in Atlanta against the Hawks.