As group play in the 2025 NBA Cup wraps up on Friday night, six of the eight knockout stage spots are set to be decided. Teams are battling to secure their positions before the single-elimination rounds begin.
The New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs have already earned their places in the knockout stage by winning their respective groups. Their performances showcased strong defense, balanced scoring, and consistent teamwork throughout the tournament.
Two additional knockout spots remain open. These will go to the best second-place finishers across the groups based on point differential and head-to-head results. Several teams, including the Celtics and Lakers, remain in contention depending on the outcomes of Friday’s final games.
The upcoming knockout rounds will determine who advances to the semifinals and, ultimately, the championship of the inaugural 2025 NBA Cup. The tournament has offered a midseason competitive spark, giving fans high-intensity basketball outside the regular season standings.
"It's a great opportunity for teams to test themselves under playoff-like conditions early in the year," said one NBA analyst.
Author’s Summary: Four teams — Knicks, Magic, Thunder, and Spurs — have secured NBA Cup knockout spots, with two more to be decided after Friday’s final group games.