With two days left in the NBA Cup 2025 group stage, the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers have clinched their groups, while six spots remain open. Several teams face elimination in upcoming games on Wednesday and Friday. Detailed scenarios outline paths for contenders in both conferences.
The 2025 Emirates NBA Cup group stage concludes with critical matchups determining advancement to the knockout rounds. All 30 NBA teams are divided into groups of five, with tiebreakers including head-to-head records, point differentials, and regular-season records from 2024-25.
In the Eastern Conference, the Raptors clinched East Group A on November 21 with a win over Washington and Indiana's loss to Cleveland. Indiana was eliminated that day, and Philadelphia fell from Group B on November 25 after losing to Orlando. For November 26 scenarios, Atlanta and Washington face elimination with a Detroit win or New York and Miami victories. Boston and Brooklyn risk ouster under similar conditions in Group B. In Group C, Charlotte is out with a loss or Detroit win, while Chicago, Miami, Milwaukee, and New York have specific clinching and elimination paths, including Miami clinching with a win and New York loss.
Western Conference sees the Lakers secure Group B on November 25 with a victory over the Clippers, eliminating Dallas that night. Utah was ousted from Group A on November 21, and New Orleans from Group B earlier. Memphis risks elimination in Group B with a loss plus a Minnesota or Phoenix win. In Group A, Minnesota could be eliminated with a loss combined with Phoenix or Memphis wins, or if Sacramento finishes with a better point differential. Sacramento is out with a loss or wins by Minnesota or Memphis.
Group C features tight races: Portland can clinch with a win, but faces elimination with a loss plus victories by Houston, Minnesota, Phoenix, or Memphis. San Antonio, Houston, and Golden State have complex scenarios involving losses, other wins, and point differentials.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray discussed the team's approach ahead of their Friday finale against San Antonio. "There's emphasis, obviously," Murray said. "It's a great bonus, and guys want to go to Vegas and have some fun." The Nuggets, at 2-1 and tied with Portland, need a win to stay alive, though Murray emphasized, "You try to win every game. You can't pay too much attention to it."
The knockout stage begins December 9 with quarterfinals, semifinals on December 13, and final on December 16 in Las Vegas. Advancing players earn prize money.
