NBA Cup 2025: Clinching and elimination scenarios at stake on Nov. 28

The group stage of the third-annual in-season tournament concludes on Friday, with 11 qualifying games scheduled to determine the teams advancing to the knockout round of the NBA Cup.

All 30 teams were placed into groups of five within their conference based on records from last season. In total, eight teams will advance from the group stage to the knockout round: The six teams with the best record from each group and two wild cards.

With a full slate of games scheduled, six spots remain to finalize the field of eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals. Three win-and-in matchups highlight the action, with several other clinching and elimination scenarios at stake once the games tip off at 7:30 p.m. EST.

The Toronto Raptors (East Group A) and the Los Angeles Lakers (West Group B) are the only teams to clinch a spot in the knockout round. In the Eastern Conference, six teams remain in contention, while six teams also remain alive in the West.

The knockout stage will feature single-elimination games for the eight teams that advanced from the group phase. The games will take place Dec. 9-10 and be hosted by the two teams in each conference with the best record from group play.

The games in the in-season tournament will count toward the regular-season standings, except the championship game. The semifinals (Dec. 13) and championship game (Dec. 16) will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: NBA Cup 2025: Clinching and elimination scenarios at stake on Nov. 28