The NBA has recently announced the groups for the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup, formerly known as the In-Season Tournament. The tournament is set to begin on November 12th and will conclude with the championship on December 17th. All 30 teams have been randomly drawn into groups of five within their conference based on their win-loss records from the previous regular season.
In the Western Conference, Group C stands out as a stacked pool of talent. This group includes the Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, and Memphis Grizzlies. These teams are known for their strong rosters and competitive play, making Group C one to watch out for.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers, the inaugural winners of the In-Season Tournament, find themselves in Group B of the West. They are joined by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and San Antonio Spurs. This group also boasts a formidable lineup of teams, ensuring intense matchups and exciting basketball.
On the Eastern Conference side, the reigning NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, are placed in Group C. They will be competing against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Wizards. This group promises to showcase some thrilling clashes between these talented teams.
The tournament format consists of each team playing four games from November 12th to December 3rd. Each team will face off against every other team in their group once, both at home and on the road. After this initial phase, eight teams will advance to the knockout rounds. This includes the six group winners and two wild-card teams from each conference.
The knockout rounds will feature single-elimination games starting with the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals, and ultimately culminating in the championship game. The championship will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, adding an extra level of excitement and spectacle to the event.
Basketball fans eagerly await the release of the complete tournament schedule in August. This will allow them to plan and anticipate the thrilling matchups that lie ahead in this highly anticipated tournament.
The NBA Cup promises to be a showcase of talent, competitiveness, and the exhilaration of the game. With teams carefully drawn into groups based on their previous season’s performance, fans can expect intense battles between some of the league’s top contenders. The tournament format, with its knockout rounds and single-elimination games, will add an element of unpredictability and drama to each matchup. As the teams prepare for the tournament, basketball enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing the best of the NBA on display in this exciting event.