Entering Friday’s competition, just a few of the eight available positions in the league’s third yearly mid-season event were yet to be determined. The Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors had already secured spots in the quarterfinals, but the remaining positions were to be finalized on the last day of group matchups.
The Orlando Magic were the initial team to guarantee their presence in the elimination stages. The Magic (4-0) triumphed over the Detroit Pistons (2-2), with a score of 112-109, powered by 37 points from Desmond Bane securing Group B from the East. The New York Knicks (3-1) also progressed to the knockout phase, achieving a 118-109 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks (2-2). Jalen Brunson (37 points, 5 assists) spearheaded the Knicks, as they topped Group C because of a prior head-to-head victory over the Heat (3-1); however, Miami will proceed as the wild card entrant from the Eastern Conference, based on their +49 point advantage.
In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0) emerged from Group A, boosted by a 123-119 result against the Phoenix Suns (3-1). Simultaneously, the San Antonio Spurs (3-1) secured a 139-136 away win versus the Denver Nuggets (3-1), thus winning Group C. Phoenix is expected to claim the conference’s wild-card position due to their +31 point difference, though the definitive determination will follow the Lakers-Mavericks and Grizzlies-Clippers contests.
The 19-1 Thunder are presently the frontrunners to secure the 2025 NBA Cup (-105 on FanDuel). The Bucks emerged victorious in the prior year’s tournament, and the Lakers claimed the inaugural title back in 2023.
2025 NBA Cup bracket
Bracket specifics will be announced post-Friday’s games.
NBA Cup standings
Standings prior to Friday’s games.
NBA
2025 NBA Cup knockout stage schedule
- Quarterfinals: Tuesday, Dec. 9, and Wednesday, Dec. 10, on the home court of the higher-seeded teams
- Semifinals: Saturday, Dec. 13, in Las Vegas
- Final: Tuesday, Dec. 16, in Las Vegas
