What is the format for the NBA Cup?

The NBA Cup, also known as Emirates NBA Cup after the Emirates sponsorship with the NBA. The NBA Cup, launched in the 2023-24 season, takes place in the regular NBA season. This competition marked a significant addition to the NBA calendar, with its first edition being called the In-Season Tournament.

The concept emerged after 15 years of discussions among NBA officials who sought to enhance basketball entertainment during November and December, a period when the NBA season overlaps with NFL games. The tournament's format was officially unveiled on July 8, 2023, including the group stage draws and the announcement of T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip as the venue for both semifinals and championship games. This new tournament represents the first time in NBA history that teams compete for an additional trophy during the regular season, adding a new dimension to professional basketball in North America.

Format of NBA Cup

The NBA Cup is played with the help of a general structure of the competition that features the group stage and the knockout stage. The tournament splits each conference into three groups of five teams each and six groups in general. The distribution of the team is reasonable, top-to-bottom based on the records of the teams of the previous season.

The tournament begins with Round Robin play, scheduled exclusively on Tuesdays and Fridays in November. Each team plays four games within their group - two at home and two on the road. These games serve a dual purpose, counting toward both the tournament and regular season standings. After group play concludes, four teams from each conference advance to the knockout stage: the three group winners and one wild card team (the group runner-up with the best record).

Related: List of NBA Cup champions

What is the purpose of the NBA Cup?

The Emirates NBA Cup serves multiple objectives for the NBA. It introduces a new competitive element during the early portion of the regular season, giving teams and players an additional championship to pursue. This tournament format creates fresh excitement for fans, offering a different way to engage with the sport during the November-December period. The competition adds meaningful stakes to early-season games, which traditionally might receive less attention.

How many games is the NBA Cup?

According to the NBA, there are a total number of 67 tournament games played across the group and knockout stages. Teams continue to play their standard 82-game regular season schedule, with tournament games being incorporated into this total except for the championship game. This integration ensures that the tournament adds value without disrupting the traditional season structure.

What is the prize money for the NBA Cup?

The NBA Cup offers significant incentives for participating teams and players. The victorious team receives the NBA Cup trophy, a new piece of hardware in professional basketball. Additionally, each player on the winning team earns a substantial cash prize of $500,000, as established in the 2023 edition. This financial incentive adds another layer of motivation for players to perform at their highest level during the tournament.

Related: How does NBA Cup work?