The NBA has announced the five-team groups for this year’s in-season tournament, now renamed the Emirates NBA Cup, the league announced in a release on Friday (Twitter link).
Like last year, there are six groups — three each from the Western Conference and Eastern Conference — and each conference was split into five groups based on last year’s standings. One team was selected at random from each group to determine the group round matchups.
The results are:
- West Group A: Timberwolves, Clippers, Kings, Rockets and Trail Blazers
- West Group B: Thunder, Suns, Lakers, Jazz and Spurs
- West Group C: Nuggets, Mavericks, Pelicans, Warriors and Grizzlies
- East Group A: Knicks, Magic, Sixers, Nets and Hornets
- East Group B: Bucks, Pacers, Heat, Raptors and Pistons
- East Group C: Celtics, Cavaliers, Bulls, Hawks and Wizards
The NBA Cup begins with group play, which runs from Nov. 12 to Dec. 3. Each team plays one game against each of the four opponents in its group. The NBA released a matchup matrix to help fans follow along (Twitter link).
Just like last season, the winner of each group advances to a knockout round alongside the team with the best record in each conference that didn’t win a group. The semifinals and finals will again be played in T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Last year, the Lakers won the inaugural in-season tournament over the Pacers. LeBron James was named the tournament MVP after dropping 24 points in the title game.
The full game and broadcast schedule for group play will be announced next month.