NBA Cup, now the Emirates Cup, originally introduced as the “In-Season Tournament”, first emerged in July 2023. It was seen as a bold attempt by Adam Silver and the NBA to inject fresh energy into the early-season calendar. As Silver put it at the unveiling: “This is a concept that has been rumbling around the league office for about 15 years… it’s a perfect opportunity for a global league like the NBA, and it’s a perfect fit for our game.”

This format pairs group-stage matchups that count toward the regular season. Each team plays four games in November, followed by single-elimination knockout rounds culminating in a championship game in early December. The first-ever match-up was contested in 2023; the Lakers were the champions, but what caught everyone’s eyes was the monetary incentiv

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