NBA Cup Schedule Announced
NBA Unveils 2026-27 Cup Schedules: Kings, Lakers, Warriors Set for Group Stage Action
The NBA has released its 2026-27 NBA Cup group stage schedule, placing the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and Portland Trail Blazers together in West Group C, according to Sacramento Bee. Each team will play four group-stage games between Oct. 30 and Nov. 7, with eight teams — six group winners and two wildcards — advancing to the knockout round.
The championship game is set for Dec. 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, per Yahoo Sports. A star-studded ESPN triple-header on Thanksgiving Eve will feature Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, and the Philadelphia 76ers.
West Group C Teams and What's at Stake
West Group C is loaded with marquee franchises. The Kings, Warriors, Lakers, Spurs, and Blazers will each play four games to fight for a spot in the knockout round, according to Sacramento Bee. Only six group winners and two wildcards — eight teams total — move on. That means just one slip-up can end a team's Cup run.
The stakes are real. The NBA Cup gives teams a chance to win a trophy before the All-Star break. Players on the winning team also earn bonuses. For a rebuilding squad like Portland or San Antonio, a deep Cup run would be a major early-season statement.
Group Stage Games Run Oct. 30 Through Nov. 7
Group play opens Oct. 30 and wraps up Nov. 7, giving teams just over a week to secure their spot. Yahoo Sports reports the NBA divided all 30 teams into six groups of five. Each team plays four games against the other teams in its group. That's a short window with no room to go cold.
After group play ends, knockout games begin Dec. 4, per Yahoo Sports. The final four teams then advance to the semifinals before the championship Dec. 11 in Indianapolis. Hinkle Fieldhouse — the iconic gym from the movie Hoosiers — will host the title game, adding a unique backdrop to the event.
Thanksgiving Eve Triple-Header Headlines the Schedule
The NBA is leaning into the Cup as a TV event. A Thanksgiving Eve triple-header on ESPN will feature three high-profile matchups. Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, and the Philadelphia 76ers are all set to appear, according to Sacramento Bee. The holiday slot gives the league a massive national audience before the traditional Thanksgiving Day games.
The Celtics also have their Cup slate set. Boston opens Oct. 30 against the Chicago Bulls, per Oneida Dispatch. The defending champions will look to add the Cup to their collection while using the tournament to build early-season chemistry.
Hinkle Fieldhouse Adds Historic Flair to the Final
The Dec. 11 championship game at Hinkle Fieldhouse is a deliberate choice. The 97-year-old gym in Indianapolis is one of the most storied arenas in basketball history. It seats about 10,000 fans — far smaller than a typical NBA arena. The NBA is betting that the intimate, historic setting will make the Cup feel like a special event, not just a regular-season footnote.
The full Cup format gives every team a fair shot early in the season. Yahoo Sports notes that the wildcard system means even a group runner-up can advance if their record is good enough. For West Group C, that could mean five competitive teams all chasing the same two spots deep into early November.
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