Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinals Kick Off Tonight

The competition for the Cup is intensifying.

The Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinals are just hours away—there’s still time to secure your tickets to witness a champion crowned in Vegas.

Today’s Top 5 Stories 🏀

NBA Cup Quarterfinals Overview: Essential information as the Knockout Rounds commence on Prime.

Heat vs. Magic: Two state rivals with different playing styles meet in Orlando.

Knicks vs. Raptors: Brunson leads New York into a strength-versus-strength showdown in Toronto.

What Follows: OKC seeks history, while the Lakers aim to maintain momentum in Wednesday’s West Quarterfinals.

Monday Highlights: Suns defeat Ant’s 40-point game, featuring a duel among star rookies, Pacers secure a win.

1. QUICK GUIDE TO THE EMIRATES NBA CUP QUARTERFINALS

Eight teams remain. One championship awaits.

The journey for the Emirates NBA Cup started 39 days ago, featuring all 30 teams.

Following 60 Group Play matches, the competition has narrowed to eight: three group winners and one wild card from each conference.

This evening, the single-elimination Knockout Rounds kick off with two of the four Quarterfinal matchups on Prime.

The victors will progress to the Semifinals on Saturday in Las Vegas. The defeated teams will exit the tournament.

Elimination matches are familiar territory for the eight quarterfinalists, with five teams—Thunder, Lakers, Magic, Knicks, and Heat—having made it to the 2025 Playoffs.

• “Entering these games, we’re incredibly thrilled—it feels like a Playoff atmosphere,” remarked Jaime Jaquez Jr. about competing for the Cup.
• “The atmosphere. It feels different,” Jalen Brunson shared about Cup matches. “It’s clear there’s something more at stake.”

Next Up: Semifinals scheduled for Saturday on Prime at 5:30 and 9 ET. The winners will remain in Las Vegas for next Tuesday’s Championship game—offering the chance to lift the Cup.

2. HEAT VS. MAGIC: SAME STATE, DISTINCT IDENTITIES

The Magic have faced challenges.

Last season, they pushed through to the Playoffs and the NBA Cup Quarterfinals, overcoming injuries from key players, including Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs, who collectively missed 105 games.

This season, adversity strikes again, yet their determination remains unwavering.

• Cup Performance: Despite Banchero missing three games, Orlando finished 4-0 in Group Play, achieving the top East seed with a +64 point differential.
• Scoring Leaders: Seven players scored over 10 points per game during this span, with Wagner, Bane, and Black leading.
• Defensive Strength: The Magic conceded the second-fewest points per game in Group Play, finishing only behind OKC in plus-minus stats.

Resilient: After returning last Friday from an injury, Banchero aims to help the team recover from last year’s Quarterfinals exit.

However, Wagner’s recent high ankle sprain leaves the team short-handed once again, but the Magic maintain their composure.

• “We’ve faced this before,” stated coach Jamahl Mosley about the injury. “We emphasize depth and defense as our strengths.”
• “Our players need to step up now,” he added.

Attack vs. Defense: Tonight (6 ET, Prime), Orlando’s defense must contain the rapid Heat offense, ranked third in the league.

• Fast-paced Play: Miami leads the league in pace and has the fifth-best NetRtg, earning the East Wild Card with a 3-1 record.
• Unique Strategy: The Heat rarely utilize pick-and-roll plays, creating a free-flowing and creative offense.

Now, Miami’s speed will challenge Orlando’s grit in search of a ticket to Vegas.

3. KNICKS AT RAPTORS: RISING NEW YORK TAKES ON TOUGH TORONTO

Aiming for a 4-0 Group Play record and their ninth consecutive victory, the Raptors sought a final bucket in their game against Indiana on Nov. 26.

With the score tied, Brandon Ingram made a last-second jumper, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

• “Everyone knows why BI is critical for our team,” commented Raptors coach Darko Rajaković after the win. “He excels not only in scoring but also in playmaking.”

Strong Unit: Ingram averages 21.2 ppg, alongside stellar performances from Barnes, Barrett, and Quickley.

This synergy has resulted in a 15-10 record, a significant improvement from last season’s 30 wins.

• Defensive Prowess: The Raptors allowed an NBA-best 100.8 ppg in Group Play while maintaining a shooting defense of 40.9%.
• Barnes’ Impact: The East Defensive Player of the Month leads the league in both steals and blocks.

Tonight (8:30 ET, Prime), the Raptors face the reigning Kia Clutch Player of the Year, Jalen Brunson, who has been crucial in this year’s Cup pursuit.

• Clutch Performances: Brunson scored 22 of his 37 points in the second half against the Bucks, helping secure his group’s top position.
• High Stakes: While Toronto focuses on its defensive strategy, New York boasts the highest-scoring offense in the league.

As New York enters its third consecutive Knockout Round, it seeks its first Semifinal berth, while Toronto aims to make a notable impact.

• “This is a big chance,” Rajaković stated about reaching the Quarterfinals. “It brings early-season opportunities that matter.”
• Brunson’s Mindset: “When there’s an opportunity to win something, seize it.”

4. WHAT’S NEXT: WEST QUARTERFINALS ON WEDNESDAY

Two additional win-or-go-home Quarterfinals begin tomorrow on Prime, with OKC striving for a record start while the Lakers chase another Cup victory.

Suns vs. Thunder (7:30 ET, Prime): After a disappointing Cup Championship last season, OKC is back for a second chance.

A win would lead to their 16th straight, surpassing last year’s franchise record, and boost their overall record to 24-1.

• Challenger: The Suns, who nearly upset OKC in their last match, secure a Wild Card spot with a 3-1 record.

Spurs vs. Lakers (10 ET, Prime): LeBron James returns with the Lakers, eager to replicate his previous Cup success alongside Luka Dončić, the league’s top scorer.

• Show-stopping Plays: Dončić recently delivered a triple-double, while James showcased his clutch scoring in a close win over Philly.
• Spurs’ Resurgence: San Antonio clinched West Group C with an impressive victory over Denver in a crucial matchup.

5. MONDAY RECAP: SUNS DEFEAT ANT’S 40 POINTS, ROOKIES SHINE, PACERS WIN

With their sights on OKC’s 15-game winning streak for Wednesday’s Quarterfinals, the Suns overcame a significant challenge.

Suns 108, Wolves 105: Despite Anthony Edwards scoring 40 points, Phoenix prevailed, led by several players scoring in double figures.

• Steady Ascent: The victory positions Phoenix at 14-10, closely trailing Minnesota in the standings.
• Edwards’ Remarkable Performance: This marks Ant’s fifth game scoring over 40 points this season.

San Antonio also advanced with a thrilling finish.

Spurs 135, Pelicans 132: Derik Queen’s impressive triple-double secured a dramatic win for San Antonio.

• Highlight Reel: Queen becomes the first rookie to record such a stat line since the 1970s.
• Rookie Spotlight: Dylan Harper also contributed significantly, sealing the game with a last-minute bucket.

Pacers 116, Kings 105: Russell Westbrook achieved his 207th career triple-double, but Indiana’s combined efforts led to victory.

• Milestone Alert: This win marks head coach Rick Carlisle’s 999th victory at the helm.