Eight teams remain as the NBA Cup enters its win-or-go-home stretch, with knockout quarterfinals tipping off next week on Tuesday, December 9 (PH time).
With the dust finally settling on an intense NBA Cup group stage, the spotlight now turns to the championship chase — a high-stakes, win-or-go-home sprint featuring eight hungry contenders.
The knockout rounds tip off on Tuesday, December 9 (PH time), and every team left standing knows there’s zero room for error.
Unbeaten runs earned the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, OKC Thunder, and LA Lakers precious home-court advantage, but the real battles begin now.
One of this season’s biggest revelations, the Raptors entered the quarterfinals riding a scorching nine-game win streak after dominating East Group A.
Toronto was the first team to punch a ticket to the knockouts, but their next assignment is anything but easy: the surging Miami Heat.
Winners of six straight and the East wildcard, the Heat’s late push out of Group C makes them one of the tournament’s most dangerous dark horses.
Over in East Group C, the New York Knicks once again forced their way into the knockout picture.
A gritty win over erstwhile tournament champions Milwaukee in the group finale set up a compelling showdown with the Magic, who needed a dramatic, last-second escape against the Detroit Pistons to lock up the East Group B top spot.
Out West, the red-hot Thunder appear locked in on redemption after last year’s heartbreak against the Bucks in the title game.
OKC swept West Group A at 4–0, capped by a decisive win over the Suns on the final day of group action.
And as the stars align, the two teams will meet again — this time with higher stakes, as the winner advances to the semifinals.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are chasing history.
The inaugural NBA Cup champions breezed through group play unbeaten and remain in the hunt to become the tournament’s first-ever two-time champions.
Standing in their path, though, are the resilient San Antonio Spurs, who stormed back from an 18-point deficit against Denver to claim the West wildcard slot.
As eight teams fight to keep their NBA Cup title aspirations alive, only four will survive to book a trip to Las Vegas for the semifinals and championship round.
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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.