Luka vs. Mavs showdown highlights NBA Cup groups
Nathaniel S. Butler / National Basketball Association / Getty
The groups for the 2025-26 NBA Cup were announced Wednesday.
Each conference was divided into three groups of five teams based on last season's records. West Group B notably features both Luka Doncic's Los Angeles Lakers and the team that traded him away, the Dallas Mavericks.
The in-season tourney will begin Oct. 31 and conclude Dec. 13 and 16 in Las Vegas with the semifinal and championship game, respectively.
Here are the results of the group draw.
East
| Group A |
|---|
| Atlanta Hawks |
| Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Indiana Pacers |
| Toronto Raptors |
| Washington Wizards |
| Group B |
|---|
| Boston Celtics |
| Brooklyn Nets |
| Detroit Pistons |
| Orlando Magic |
| Philadelphia 76ers |
| Group C |
|---|
| Charlotte Hornets |
| Chicago Bulls |
| Miami Heat |
| Milwaukee Bucks |
| New York Knicks |
West
| Group A |
|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Phoenix Suns |
| Sacramento Kings |
| Utah Jazz |
| Group B |
|---|
| Dallas Mavericks |
| Los Angeles Clippers |
| Los Angeles Lakers |
| Memphis Grizzlies |
| New Orleans Pelicans |
| Group C |
|---|
| Denver Nuggets |
| Golden State Warriors |
| Houston Rockets |
| Portland Trail Blazers |
| San Antonio Spurs |
After the group-play stage, the top teams from each group and one wild-card club from each conference will advance to the knockout rounds, which consist of single-elimination games.
The Bucks defeated the Thunder 97-81 in last season's NBA Cup final.