NBA Cup: 2024 start date, schedule, format, groups & prize money

The NBA Cup is an annual competition that debuted in the 2023/24 season, with all 30 teams competing across group play and knockout rounds to win the tournament.

The Los Angeles Lakers won the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament, defeating the Indiana Pacers in the championship game, 123-109. 

Since the Lakers' win, the NBA re-named the tournament to the NBA Cup ahead of its second edition in 2024.

Below you can find all the details regarding this event.

NBA Cup 2024 start date

The 2024 NBA Cup will tip off on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

NBA Cup 2024 schedule

November 12-December 3: Group play

December 10-11: Quarterfinals

December 14: Semifinals

NBA Cup Championship: December 17

NBA Cup format

Teams are sorted into groups of five based on their win-loss record from the previous season, totaling six groups in all.

At the start of the tournament, each team will begin Group Play by playing two road games and two home games - one against each opponent in their respective group - on what are being labeled 'Tournament Nights'.

The teams with the best record within their group will advance to the Knockout Rounds, as well as the best second-placed team earing a wild card spot in each conference.

Eight total teams will then compete in single-elimination games in the Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Championship, with a prize pool at stake, along with the new NBA Cup Trophy for the winner.

How to watch the NBA Cup, TV channel and streaming

The NBA In-Season Tournament is broadcast on multiple channels in the United States, including TNT, ESPN, ABC, NBA TV, as well as local stations.

Streaming will be available on any service that carries the above channels, such as YouTube TV or fuboTV.

2024 NBA Cup groups

Eastern Conference

East Group A	East Group B	East Group C
New York Knicks	Milwaukee Bucks	Boston Celtics
Orlando Magic	Indiana Pacers	Cleveland Cavaliers
Philadelphia 76ers	Miami Heat	Chicago Bulls
Brooklyn Nets	Toronto Raptors	Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets	Detroit Pistons	Washington Wizards

Western Conference

West Group A	West Group B	West Group C
Minnesota Timberwolves	Oklahoma City Thunder	Denver Nuggets
Los Angeles Clippers	Phoenix Suns	Dallas Mavericks
Sacramento Kings	Los Angeles Lakers	New Orleans Pelicans
Houston Rockets	Utah Jazz	Golden State Warriors
Portland Trail Blazers	San Antonio Spurs	Memphis Grizzlies

NBA Cup trophy

The winner of the tournament will take home the NBA Cup, a trophy specifically designed for this event. 

NBA Cup prize money

Players on teams that advance to the knockout round of the NBA Cup will be rewarded handsomely.

Each player on teams that reach the knockout stage will receive $50,000. 

Each player on the team that takes home the NBA Cup will receive $500,000.

NBA Cup individual awards

There will be an NBA Cup Most Valuable Player named by the NBA at the conclusion of the event, along with a list of players that will represent the All-Tournament team.

LeBron James won the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament MVP award.

Do NBA Cup games count towards the regular season?

Yes, all games played in the NBA Cup count toward each team's regular season record.