NBA

Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Group Play Schedule Unveiled

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 13, 2026, 04:17 IST

The in-season competition's Group Play phase consists of 60 matches, starting on October 30 and ending on November 27.

Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Group Play Schedule Unveiled

The highly anticipated Emirates NBA Cup 2026 is set to commence on October 30, featuring an exciting lineup of games that will unfold over several weeks. This year marks the fourth edition of the in-season tournament, which will showcase a total of 60 Group Play matches, with 15 of these games being broadcast on platforms such as Prime Video, NBC, and ESPN.

Group Play Schedule Highlights

The tournament kicks off with a doubleheader on Prime Video, starting with the reigning champions, the New York Knicks, facing off against the Philadelphia 76ers. This matchup is particularly noteworthy as it serves as a rematch of their earlier season encounter on October 20. Following this, the Los Angeles Lakers will take on the Golden State Warriors, featuring star players like Luka Dončić and Steph Curry.

As the tournament progresses, the following week will see another Cup Night doubleheader on November 6, where LeBron James returns to Cleveland to face his former team, the Cavaliers. This game is significant as James has a strong record against Cleveland, having won 20 of their last 26 encounters. The evening will conclude with the Lakers hosting the Portland Trail Blazers, who will feature a revamped roster including Ja Morant and Damian Lillard.

Key Matchups and Broadcast Details

On November 13, the Knicks will clash with the Indiana Pacers, reigniting a historic rivalry that has seen them meet in the playoffs multiple times. This will be followed by a game between the Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs, who were last year’s runners-up in the tournament.

As Thanksgiving approaches, a special tripleheader on November 24 will highlight several marquee matchups, including the Boston Celtics visiting the Washington Wizards, who have undergone significant roster changes. The night will also feature the Dallas Mavericks taking on the Denver Nuggets, showcasing the talents of reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg against the legendary Nikola Jokić.

The Group Play phase will culminate with a doubleheader on November 27, where the Miami Heat will visit the Knicks, and the Lakers will face the Spurs. Following this, the tournament will transition to the Knockout Rounds, scheduled from December 4 to December 11, culminating in the championship game at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.