Brandon Ingram's buzzer-beater lifted the Toronto Raptors to a 97-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers, completing a perfect 4-0 record in Emirates NBA Cup Group Play. The Oklahoma City Thunder extended their unbeaten streak with a 113-105 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, improving to 18-1 overall. A nine-game slate featured intense finishes, win streaks and key implications for the knockout rounds.
The Emirates NBA Cup Group Play delivered drama on November 27, 2025, with nine games shaping the path to the knockout stage. In East Group A, the Raptors secured homecourt advantage in the quarterfinals by rallying past the Pacers. Tied at 95 with 0.6 seconds left, Jakob Poeltl blocked Indiana's shot, allowing Ingram to sink the game-winning jumper for 26 points and eight rebounds. Scottie Barnes added 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Immanuel Quickley contributed 15 points and six assists. T.J. McConnell led the Pacers with season-high 16 points and seven rebounds. Toronto's victory marked their ninth straight win, the fifth such streak in franchise history. Ingram noted, 'Just wanted to be super aggressive, and get into my spots.'
In West Group A, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 40 points, six rebounds and six assists powered the Thunder to a 113-105 decision over the Timberwolves. Chet Holmgren's three-pointer with 1:02 remaining extended the lead, and OKC closed on an 8-1 run. Anthony Edwards scored 31 points with eight rebounds, five assists and five threes for Minnesota, now eliminated from Cup contention. The Thunder, now 3-0 in group play and 18-1 overall, join the 2015-16 Warriors as one of the best starts in NBA history. SGA said, 'It took us making plays on both ends of the floor down the stretch to come out with a W.'
East Group B saw the Boston Celtics end the Detroit Pistons' 13-game streak in a 117-114 thriller. Jaylen Brown tallied 33 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks, while Derrick White added 27 points with six threes. Cade Cunningham poured in 42 points but missed a free throw to tie the game. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff remarked, 'I couldn’t be more proud of the group.'
The Miami Heat stretched their streak to six with a 106-103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, led by Tyler Herro's 29 points and seven assists. In West Group A, the Phoenix Suns dominated the Sacramento Kings 112-100, with Mark Williams posting 21 points and 16 rebounds. The San Antonio Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 115-102 behind De’Aaron Fox's 37 points. The New York Knicks routed the Charlotte Hornets 129-101, with Jalen Brunson scoring 33 points. Houston Rockets overcame the Golden State Warriors 104-100 via Reed Sheppard's 31 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies edged the New Orleans Pelicans 133-128 in overtime, highlighted by Vince Williams Jr.'s 17 assists.
These results set up crucial Friday finales, including OKC vs. Suns for West A and Knicks vs. Bucks for East C implications.