NBA Cup Quarterfinals Set After Dramatic Group Stage Conclusion

The field for the 2025 NBA Cup knockout stage is now complete. Eight teams have advanced from the group stage to compete for the championship. The single-elimination quarterfinals begin next week.

Group play concluded on Friday night with several decisive games. Six of the eight knockout round spots were determined on the final night of the group stage, creating significant drama across the league.

Western Conference Sees Thunder, Lakers, and Spurs Advance

In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched Group A with a narrow 123–119 victory over the Phoenix Suns. The San Antonio Spurs secured Group C by defeating the Denver Nuggets 139–136, eliminating the defending champions from contention.

The Los Angeles Lakers had already clinched Group B but solidified home-court advantage with a win over Dallas. Despite their loss to Oklahoma City, the Phoenix Suns claimed the Western Conference wild-card berth via a tiebreaker over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Eastern Conference Dominated by Undefeated Teams

The Eastern Conference was dominated by perfect records. The Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic both finished group play with flawless 4–0 records to win Group A and Group B, respectively. This dominant performance positions them as early tournament favorites.

The New York Knicks won Group C by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 118–109. The Miami Heat secured the Eastern Conference wild card after both the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers lost their final group stage games.

Knockout Round Schedule and Format

The NBA Cup now shifts to its single-elimination knockout round. The quarterfinals are scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, and Wednesday, December 10. Higher-seeded teams will host these initial games.

The tournament then moves to a neutral site in Las Vegas. The semifinals will be held at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, December 13. The 2025 NBA Cup champion will be crowned in the title game on Tuesday, December 16.

The NBA Cup quarterfinals feature a compelling mix of undefeated powerhouses and resilient wild-card teams. This sets the stage for a high-stakes conclusion to the league’s premier in-season tournament.

Dropping this nugget your way

Which teams went undefeated in the NBA Cup group stage?

Four teams finished with perfect 4-0 records. These were the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Lakers. Their flawless performance earned them top seeding in the quarterfinals.

How does a team qualify as a wild card?

Wild card spots go to the two best second-place teams, one from each conference. The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat earned these berths with strong 3-1 records after just missing out on winning their groups.

Where will the NBA Cup semifinals and finals be played?

The final three games of the tournament shift to a neutral site. All games from the semifinals onward will be held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

When do the NBA Cup quarterfinals begin?

The knockout stage starts on Tuesday, December 9, with two quarterfinal matchups. Two more quarterfinal games will follow on Wednesday, December 10, at the home arenas of the higher-seeded teams.

Which defending champions were eliminated from contention?

The Denver Nuggets, last year’s NBA Cup champions, were eliminated from the 2025 tournament. Their loss to the San Antonio Spurs on the final night of group play ended their title defense.