Emirates NBA Cup 2024

Emirates NBA Cup Tracker: Latest updates, schedule, matchups & explainer

The Knockout Rounds are set, the matchups scheduled, and the NBA Cup is within reach. Get all the details here.

NBA.com Staff

Updated on December 5, 2024 11:21 PM

The Group Play stage of the NBA Cup is complete.

It’s time for the Knockout Rounds, a bracket-style showdown beginning Dec. 10. Here are the eight teams moving on to the Quarterfinals.

Teams in Knockout Rounds

East

Milwaukee Bucks (East #1, Group B winner)
New York Knicks (East #2, Group A winner)
Atlanta Hawks (East #3, Group C winner)
Orlando Magic (East #4, Wild Card)

West

Oklahoma City Thunder (West #1, Group B winner)
Houston Rockets (West #2, Group A winner)
Golden State Warriors (West #3, Group C winner)
Dallas Mavericks (West #4, Wild Card)

Quarterfinals matchups, schedule

The NBA Cup Knockout Rounds will begin Tuesday, Dec. 10. The Quarterfinals will be played in home markets, while the Semifinals and Championship will be played in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena.

Orlando Magic (East #4) at Milwaukee Bucks (East #1)
When: Tues., Dec. 10 (7 ET, TNT)

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the resurgent Bucks host the equally impressive and resilient Magic team. Orlando has found a different gear despite the absence of All-Star Paolo Banchero, led by All-NBA-worthy play from Franz Wagner. The task will be tall against Damian Lillard and “The Greek Freak,” one of the early frontrunners for the NBA Cup MVP.

Atlanta Hawks (East #3) at New York Knicks (East #2)
When: Wed., Dec. 11 (7 ET, ESPN)

Fading postseason memories are rekindled in this quarterfinal matchup as Trae Young returns to Madison Square Garden. His new supporting cast, including Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels, will look to upset a remade Knicks team coming into its own. Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby are meshing quickly around All-NBA point guard Jalen Brunson.

Dallas Mavericks (West #4) at Oklahoma City Thunder (West #1)
When: Tues., Dec. 10 (9:30 ET, TNT)

Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, two of the top three finishers in last season’s NBA Kia MVP voting, clash in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. These teams are also fresh off a competitive 2024 semifinal series, and both boast plenty of supporting talent (Kyrie Irving and Jalen Williams) around their superstars.

Golden State Warriors (West #3) at Houston Rockets (West #2)
When: Wed., Dec. 11 (9:30, TNT)

Impressive depth will take the court when the Warriors and Rockets meet in the Knockout Rounds. Houston has roared out of the gate behind a bevy of young talent mixed with veteran experience. The Warriors, meanwhile, have reconfigured themselves around Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Curry’s 3-pointers and Jalen Green’s aerial attacks will be the safest highlight bets.

Time to fill out your bracket!

The Knockout Rounds of the #EmiratesNBACup begin Tuesday, Dec. 10. pic.twitter.com/RTsa5gG2TN

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 4, 2024

Full Knockout Rounds schedule

Quarterfinals

Tues., Dec. 10 | Magic vs. Bucks | 7 p.m. | TNT
Tues., Dec. 10 | Mavericks vs. Thunder | 9:30 p.m. | TNT
Wed., Dec. 11 | Hawks vs. Knicks | 7 p.m. | ESPN
Wed., Dec. 11 | Warriors vs. Rockets | 9:30 p.m. | TNT

Semifinals

Sat., Dec. 14 | TBD vs. TBD | 4:30 p.m. | TNT
Sat., Dec. 14 | TBD vs. TBD | 8:30 p.m. | ABC

Championship

Tues., Dec. 17 | TBD vs. TBD | 8:30 p.m. | ABC

All times are Eastern Standard Time.

How the Knockout Rounds work

All games are single-elimination. This stage features three rounds in one week: Quarterfinals > Semifinals > Championship.

The last team standing will win the NBA Cup.

Games played in the Quarterfinals and Semifinals will count as regular season games. The Championship is the only NBA Cup game that will not count towards regular-season records and stats.

Want to know more? Go deeper.

Group Play Results

Group Play games were played on “Cup Nights,” which took place every Tuesday and Friday from Nov. 12 through Dec. 3. Tap the links below to see the results and standings.