It’s win-or-go-home time for the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup.
Eight teams have advanced from Group Play to reach the Knockout Rounds. The six Group winners (Thunder, Lakers, Spurs, Magic, Raptors and Knicks) and one wild card from each conference (Suns and Heat) who finished with the best records and point differentials among teams that finished second in Group Play standings.
The quarterfinals will be hosted by the four teams with the top seeds (OKC, Los Angeles, Orlando and Toronto), before the tournament shifts to Las Vegas for the semifinals (Dec. 13) and championship (Dec. 16).
The single-elimination stakes are clear. Win, and punch your ticket to Vegas. Lose, and it’s back to business in the regular season. But it’s not all about the Cup results. For every team at this stage, the must-win experience provides valuable lessons for the remainder of the season and the playoffs.
“Competition is at an all-time high. It’s emerging vs. established,” said James Jones, NBA Exec. VP Head of Basketball Operations, during a call with international media members on Wednesday. “Coming out of the Cup, there will be teams – similar to Indiana two years ago – that will use the Cup experience as a springboard to give them the confidence to compete against the best teams and make a run to the Finals. That’s the opportunity the Cup presents.”
Here’s what to know before the quarterfinal matchups on Dec. 9 and 10.
Blake Griffin explains the moments that pushed the Knicks, Raptors, Heat, and Magic into the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Miami Heat (4) vs. Orlando Magic (1)
How to Watch: Tues., Dec. 9 (6 p.m. ET) on Prime Video
The action begins with a Florida interstate showdown in Orlando.
The Magic dominated Group Play en route to an undefeated 4-0 record and an East-best +64 point differential. And they did it mostly without star Paolo Banchero, who has been out since Nov. 14 with a groin injury and missed Orlando’s final three Group Play games. Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs are leading the young squad that currently sits 5th in the East standings and looks ready to reach new heights this season. A strong showing in the Knockout Rounds could accelerate their rise in the East.
The Heat surged up the standings to end November with a balanced attack led by Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell and Tyler Herro. Miami finished Group Play with a 3-1 record and a +49 point differential to earn the East wild card. They have the fifth-best defensive rating in the NBA, the eighth-best net rating, and the fastest pace in the league. The veteran roster will face a major challenge against Orlando, which ranks 10th in net rating to begin the season. The Magic defeated the Heat 125-121 on opening night.
New York Knicks (3) vs. Toronto Raptors (2)
How to Watch: Tues., Dec. 9 (8:30 p.m. ET) on Prime Video
In a wide-open Eastern Conference, the Raptors and Knicks have each established themselves as contenders. Toronto is currently 2nd in the East at 15-7 after winning just 30 games total last season. They have the sixth-best defensive rating, the third-best assist-to-turnover ratio and went 4-0 in Group Play with a +55 point differential. The trio of Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett is averaging a combined 61.2 points per game this season, so if you want to beat the Raptors, you need to slow down their three-headed monster.
After an offseason coaching change, New York is finding its rhythm with the third-best offensive rating in the league and fourth-best net rating to start the season. Superstars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns drive New York’s offense with a combined 50.3 points per game, while Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby hold down the roster on defense. The Knicks – the only team to reach the NBA Cup quarterfinals in all three seasons – defeated the Raptors 116-94 in their most recent matchup on Nov. 30.
Blake Griffin discusses how the Thunder, Lakers, Suns and Spurs secured their spots in the NBA Cup Knockout Rounds.
Phoenix Suns (4) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
How to Watch: Wed., Dec. 10 (7:30 p.m. ET) on Prime Video
Can any team slow down the Thunder? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending champions have a 13-game winning streak entering this weekend’s action, and they are just the fourth team in NBA history to start with a 21-1 record. OKC boasts the top-rated defense, the fifth-best offense, and the best net rating, all while SGA dominates with averages of 32.8 points (2nd in NBA), 6.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 33 minutes per game. In West Group A action, they posted a 4-0 mark with an NBA-best +75 point differential, which included a 123-119 win over the Suns on Nov. 28.
That loss was the only one in Group Play for Phoenix, who finished with a 3-1 record and a +31 point differential to earn the tiebreaker over Memphis. Devin Booker leads the Suns with averages of 25.0 points, 6.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds over 22 games this season. However, he left Tuesday’s matchup against the Lakers with a groin injury and is expected to be out for this must-win NBA Cup matchup. Without Booker, the Suns will have to rely on their defense, which is the most improved unit in the league this season.
San Antonio Spurs (3) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (2)
How to Watch: Wed., Dec. 10 (10 p.m. ET) on Prime Video
The quarterfinals action concludes in L.A., where Luka Dončić and the Lakers have climbed to 2nd in the West standings, while going 4-0 in Group Play with a +46 point differential. Dončić is leading the NBA in scoring with the highest scoring average (35.3) since James Harden in 2018-19 and the 10th highest average of all-time. In addition to his elite scoring, Dončić is adding 8.9 assists (4th in NBA) and 8.9 rebounds (2nd among guards) over his first 16 games. But it’s not just Dončić for L.A. as Austin Reaves continues to shine with averages of 28.1 points (9th in NBA), 6.6 assists and 5.7 rebounds.
And that’s all before even mentioning LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, who has played only five games in his NBA-record 23rd season after missing time due to injury.
The Spurs have stayed afloat despite Victor Wembanyama (calf strain) and Stephon Castle (hip flexor) being out since mid-November. The return of De’Aaron Fox is a major reason why, with averages of 25.0 points, 6.3 assists and 3.6 rebounds over his first 13 games (9-4 record). Devin Vassell is fresh off a 35-point game against Denver, and No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper is back in the mix after missing 10 games due to injury. Even without Wemby and Castle, the Spurs – who went 3-1 in Group Play with a +26 point differential – have plenty of firepower to challenge Luka, LeBron and the Lakers.
