### Lakers Secure Spot in Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinals
The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up the group stage of the Emirates NBA Cup with a strong performance, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 129–119. This victory secured their place in the tournament’s knockout stage and ensured home-court advantage for the quarterfinal matchup.
### Quarterfinal Matchups Announced
The newly set bracket places the Lakers against the San Antonio Spurs in the quarterfinals. Other key fixtures include the Milwaukee Bucks facing the New York Knicks, the Indiana Pacers playing the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Phoenix Suns meeting the New Orleans Pelicans.
### Outstanding Performances
LeBron James led the Lakers with an energetic display, demonstrating his efficiency both offensively and defensively. Anthony Davis also made a major impact in the paint, contributing to the Lakers’ balanced team effort. The Mavericks fought back through strong scoring by Luka Dončić but could not close the gap late in the fourth quarter.
> “We wanted to carry our intensity into every game, and that focus paid off,” LeBron James said after the win.
### Tournament Structure
The Emirates NBA Cup knockout round follows a single-elimination format. The quarterfinal winners will advance to the semifinals, leading to the championship final in Las Vegas. The competition marks the NBA’s effort to introduce a midseason tournament inspired by international cup formats.
### Upcoming Schedule
Quarterfinal matchups are set to begin next week, with dates and venues confirmed by the league. The Lakers look to extend their successful run as they host the Spurs at Crypto.com Arena.
***
**Author’s summary:** The Lakers clinched a home quarterfinal spot in the Emirates NBA Cup by beating the Mavericks and will face the Spurs next in the single-elimination knockout round.
more
Yardbarker on MSN — 2025-11-29