The final day of NBA Cup group play saw the OKC Thunder, Orlando Magic, and LA Lakers secure home-court edge, while the Miami Heat and Phoenix advanced as wildcard entries.
On the final day of NBA Cup group play, the Orlando Magic, OKC Thunder, and LA Lakers joined Toronto as the only teams to complete a sweep and earn home-court advantage heading into the knockout rounds.
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns claimed the two wildcard spots after posting the best second-place records in their groups.
THUNDER, LAKERS, SPURS TOP RESPECTIVE GROUPS
- OKC Thunder (19-1) def. Phoenix Suns (12-8), 123-119: MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points in his fifth straight 30-point outing, leading the Thunder past the Suns to clinch West Group A and home-court advantage in the quarterfinals.
The win marked the Thunder’s 11th consecutive victory, while the Suns, despite the loss, still advanced by claiming the West wildcard spot.
- LA Lakers (14-4) def. Dallas Mavericks (5-15), 129-119: Thanks to Austin Reaves’ 38 points and Luka Doncic’s 33, the Lakers secured the top spot in West Group B by overwhelming the Mavericks.
LA finished group play unbeaten at 4-0, claiming one of two West home-court advantages alongside the OKC Thunder.
[ALSO READ: NBA Cup: Lakers spoil Anthony Davis’ LA homecoming, down Mavs to clinch QF homecourt edge]
- San Antonio Spurs (13-5) def. Denver Nuggets (12-8), 123-119: Devin Vassell scored a season-high 33 points to lead the Spurs’ comeback from an 18-point deficit, stunning the Nuggets and claiming the top spot in West Group C.
Needing a win to advance, San Antonio delivered and will now face the Lakers in the knockout NBA Cup quarterfinals in LA.
- Utah Jazz (6-12) def. Sacramento Kings (5-15), 128-119: Keyonte George continues his scoring surge, dropping 31 points that gave a lift to the Jazz in halting a four-game skid.
- Memphis Grizzlies (8-12) def. LA Clippers (5-14), 112-107: Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Grizzlies overcame a 16-point deficit to extend the Clippers’ struggles, handing Los Angeles their sixth loss in eight games.
MAGIC CLINCH HOMECOURT, KNICKS DETHRONE BUCKS
- Orlando Magic (12-8) def. Detroit Pistons (15-4), 112-109: Desmond Bane dropped 37 points as the Magic edged the Pistons, topping East Group A and moving on to the quarterfinal.
With the victory, Orland swept group play at 4-0 and gained homecourt advantage — along with the Toronto Raptors — while facing the Miami Heat for a spot in the semifinals.
- New York Knicks (12-6) def. Milwaukee Bucks (8-12), 118-109: Jalen Brunson’s 37-point outburst led the Knicks past the Bucks, sending New York into the knockout rounds and ensuring a new tournament champion will be crowned.
The victory also secured East Group C for the Knicks, while losses by Cleveland and Detroit allowed the Heat to advance as the East wildcard.
[ALSO READ: Jalen Brunson, Knicks eliminate NBA Cup champs Bucks to enter KO rounds]
- Atlanta Hawks (12-8) def. Cleveland Cavaliers (12-8), 130-123: Jalen Johnson posted a dominant 29-point, 12-rebound, 12-assist triple-double to help the Hawks survive the Cavs and Donovan Mitchell’s 42-point outburst.
- Philadelphia 76ers (10-8) def. Brooklyn Nets (3-15), 115-103: Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain combined for 42 points, giving the Sixers their first NBA Cup win this year after toppling the lowly Nets.
- Charlotte Hornets (5-14) def. Chicago Bulls (9-9), 123-116: Brandon Miller netted 27 points as Miles Bridges added a solid 22-8-7 stat line that led to the Hornets snapping a seven-game losing skid at the Bulls’ expense.
- Indiana Pacers (3-16) def. Washington Wizards (2-16), 119-86: Reigning East Finals MVP Pascal Siakam led the Pacers to a dominant 33-point victory over the Wizards, securing a rare win.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.