The tournament kicks off tonight! There are eight huge NBA cup games today, and we’ve got you covered with all of the news, updates, and breakdowns.
If you’re still wondering how the NBA cup works, this isn’t just regular-season window dressing. These games count toward your regular season record and determine who advances to the knockout rounds in Vegas, where the winner takes home over $500K per player.
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NBA Cup Games Today: Tournament News, Updates & Schedule
Quick primer: All 30 teams are split into six groups of five. You play four group games on designated “Cup Nights” (mostly Fridays), with the six group winners plus two wild cards advancing to single-elimination knockout rounds.
Point differential matters as the first tiebreaker after head-to-head record, which means teams will be pushing for buckets even in blowouts.
Here’s what’s on tap for Opening Night.
Celtics vs 76ers NBA Cup Game
Spread: 76ers -2 | Total: 234.5
Philadelphia’s riding high at 4-0 while Boston sits 2-3 and is dealing with life without Jayson Tatum (torn Achilles, out indefinitely). This rivalry is sure to be an intense game tonight.
The Sixers’ young backcourt is putting up video game numbers. Tyrese Maxey is averaging 37.5 points through four games on 47.4% from deep, while rookie VJ Edgecombe is dropping 22.3 PPG.
In their season opener against these same Celtics on October 22, Maxey went for 40 and Edgecombe scored 34 in his NBA debut—combining for 74 points total, which is the most for any starting backcourt through three games in league history.
Joel Embiid looked more like himself after a clunker in the opener vs Boston.
Boston’s leaning hard on Jaylen Brown (26.8 PPG) and got wins over New Orleans and Cleveland to stabilize after an 0-3 start. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard are the secondary options.
Hawks vs Pacers NBA Cup Game
Spread: Hawks -2.5 | Total: 232.5
This is a battle of the walking wounded. Indiana’s 0-4 and missing eight players to injury, including their entire starting and backup backcourt. Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles tear), T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, and Bennedict Mathurin are all sidelined.
Pascal Siakam’s trying to carry the load at 26.3 PPG, but there’s only so much one guy can do when you’re this depleted.
Atlanta’s 2-3 but also dealing with injuries. Trae Young’s out with a right knee sprain, shifting the offensive responsibilities to Jalen Johnson (20.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG) and Kristaps Porzingis. The Hawks have won their last two meetings against Indiana and just beat Brooklyn 117-112.
Raptors vs Cavaliers NBA Cup Game
Spread: Cavaliers -7 | Total: 238.5
Cleveland is3-2 and looking to bounce back after a loss to Boston. The Cavs are built around their “Core 4” of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Darius Garland, though Garland’s currently sidelined with a toe injury.
Mitchell and Mobley have been excellent when healthy. In a recent win over Milwaukee, Mobley went 12-for-12 from the free-throw line while contributing 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Cleveland’s won 7 of their last 10 against Toronto, including four straight.
Toronto is 1-4 and riding a four-game losing streak after getting blasted by Houston 139-121 at home. Scottie Barnes dropped 31 points in that loss, but the Raptors’ defense is a disaster—ranked 30th in opponent field goal percentage at 53.5% while allowing 127.8 PPG.
Knicks vs Bulls NBA Cup Game
Spread: Knicks -4.5 | Total: 234.5
Chicago’s the surprise story of the early season at 4-0, looking for their first 5-0 start since the 1995-96 championship team.
Josh Giddey’s been a revelation, averaging 19.5 points, 8.5 rebounds (1st among guards), and 7.2 assists. Nikola Vucevic continues his steady double-double production (18.3 PPG, 10.1 RPG), and the Bulls rank 1st in opponent three-point defense, allowing just 25.9% from deep.
The Knicks are 2-2 with Jalen Brunson carrying the offense at 31.8 PPG despite playing more off-ball this season.
Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging a double-double but is listed as probable with a quad strain. New York’s 0-2 on the road and coming off consecutive losses to Miami and Milwaukee.
Lakers vs Grizzlies NBA Cup Game
Spread: Grizzlies -2.5 | Total: 237.5
The Lakers are playing without LeBron James (right sciatica, expected out until mid-November), putting enormous pressure on the rest of the roster.
Luka Doncic is questionable but upgraded from out, which suggests he could return after missing three games. Before his injury, Doncic was absolutely dominant at 46 PPG, 11.5 RPG, and 8.5 APG in his first two games as a Laker. If he sits, Austin Reaves (34.2 PPG early season) and Rui Hachimura will carry the load.
Memphis is 3-2 with Ja Morant playing at an elite level. He just hit a game-winner with 7.6 seconds left against Phoenix (114-113) on Wednesday. The Grizzlies are without Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, and Scotty Pippen Jr.
This West Group B matchup is critical—the Clippers, Lakers, and Grizzlies are all projected as contenders for the knockout rounds.
Jazz vs Suns NBA Cup Game
Spread: Suns -3 | Total: 237.5
Utah just embarrassed Phoenix four days ago, winning 138-134 in overtime behind Lauri Markkanen’s career-high 51 points—the first 50-point game by a Jazz player since Karl Malone in 1998.
Markkanen went 17-for-17 from the free-throw line and is now averaging 34.0 PPG on the season. Keyonte George added 26 points and 10 assists in that game. The Jazz are 4-0 against the spread this season and have posted 129+ points in three of four games.
Phoenix is spiraling at 1-4, having lost four straight. Devin Booker’s still elite at 24.5 PPG, but the defense is allowing at least 114 points every game. Dillon Brooks (groin) and Jalen Green (hamstring) remain out, hurting their perimeter D.
Nuggets vs Trail Blazers NBA Cup Game
Spread: Nuggets -4.5 | Total: 239.5
Denver is 3-1 and riding three straight wins, including a 122-88 demolition of New Orleans where Nikola Jokic posted another triple-double (21 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists).
The reigning MVP candidate is averaging 20.3 PPG, 14.5 RPG, and a league-leading 11.3 APG. When Jamal Murray’s healthy (27.0 PPG), the Nuggets are elite—they rank 1st in point differential (+15.8) and 1st in assists per game (31.8).
Portland’s 3-2 despite missing Damian Lillard (Achilles management), Scoot Henderson (hamstring tear), and Matisse Thybulle (thumb). They just beat Utah 136-134 on the road behind big games from Jrue Holiday (27), Deni Avdija (19), and Jerami Grant (18). The Blazers rank 1st in steals per game (12.2) and force 23.0 turnovers per game.
Pelicans vs Clippers NBA Cup Game
Spread: Clippers -11.5 | Total: 223.5
This is a very lopsided matchup on paper.
New Orleans is winless at 0-4 with a league-worst -19.0 point differential per game. They haven’t started 0-5 since 2016-17, but that’s where they’re headed without a miracle.
The lone bright spot is Zion Williamson, who’s actually stayed (fairly) healthy and is averaging 21.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and a league-leading 3.0 steals per game. The defense has been abysmal, allowing 123.0 PPG on 49.6% shooting, while the offense ranks 30th at just 104.0 PPG.
LA’s 2-2 and projected as 30% favorites to win West Group B thanks to their star power. James Harden is orchestrating the offense (8.0 APG, 7th in NBA), while Kawhi Leonard and Bradley Beal provide two-way versatility. Ivica Zubac ranks 5th among all players in field goal percentage (63.6%) with 10.5+ RPG.
Tonight’s NBA Cup Schedule – October 31, 2025
7:00 PM ET
- Boston Celtics @ Philadelphia 76ers (Amazon Prime Video)
- Atlanta Hawks @ Indiana Pacers (FDSSE, FDSIN)
7:30 PM ET
- Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers (FDSOH, TSN)
8:00 PM ET
- New York Knicks @ Chicago Bulls (MSG, CHSN)
9:30 PM ET
- Los Angeles Lakers @ Memphis Grizzlies (FDSSC, Amazon Prime Video)
10:00 PM ET
- Utah Jazz @ Phoenix Suns
- Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trail Blazers
10:30 PM ET
New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Clippers (Gulf Coast Sports, FDSSC)
2025 NBA Cup Schedule (Complete)
Group Play
October 31 – November 28, 2025
All group play games count toward regular-season standings and statistics.
Cup Nights (All times ET):
Friday, October 31
7:00 PM: Hawks @ Pacers
7:00 PM: Celtics @ 76ers (Prime Video)
7:30 PM: Raptors @ Cavaliers
8:00 PM: Knicks @ Bulls
9:30 PM: Lakers @ Grizzlies (Prime Video)
10:00 PM: Jazz @ Suns
10:00 PM: Nuggets @ Trail Blazers
10:30 PM: Pelicans @ Clippers
Friday, November 7
7:00 PM: Cavaliers @ Wizards
7:00 PM: Celtics @ Magic
7:30 PM: Pistons @ Nets
7:30 PM: Rockets @ Spurs (Prime Video)
7:30 PM: Raptors @ Hawks
8:00 PM: Hornets @ Heat
8:00 PM: Jazz @ Timberwolves
8:00 PM: Mavericks @ Grizzlies
8:00 PM: Bulls @ Bucks
10:00 PM: Thunder @ Kings (Prime Video)
10:00 PM: Nuggets @ Warriors
10:00 PM: Trail Blazers @ Rockets
Friday, November 14
7:00 PM: Magic @ Celtics
7:30 PM: 76ers @ Pistons
7:30 PM: Pacers @ Wizards
7:30 PM: Nets @ 76ers
8:00 PM: Hawks @ Knicks
8:00 PM: Hornets @ Bucks
8:00 PM: Heat @ Bulls (Prime Video)
9:00 PM: Timberwolves @ Kings
9:00 PM: Clippers @ Mavericks
9:30 PM: Spurs @ Warriors (Prime Video)
10:00 PM: Suns @ Lakers
Friday, November 21
7:00 PM: Pacers @ Cavaliers
7:30 PM: Wizards @ Raptors
7:30 PM: Nets @ Magic
7:30 PM: Pistons @ Celtics
8:00 PM: Knicks @ Heat
9:00 PM: Timberwolves @ Suns
9:30 PM: Nuggets @ Rockets
10:00 PM: Thunder @ Jazz
10:00 PM: Trail Blazers @ Warriors
10:30 PM: Lakers @ Mavericks (Prime Video)
Tuesday, November 25
7:00 PM: Hawks @ Wizards
8:00 PM: Spurs @ Clippers
Wednesday, November 26
7:30 PM: Pacers @ Raptors
7:30 PM: Thunder @ Timberwolves
9:00 PM: Kings @ Suns
Friday, November 28
7:30 PM: Cavaliers @ Hawks
7:30 PM: Wizards @ Pacers
8:00 PM: Bulls @ Hornets
8:00 PM: Bucks @ Knicks (Prime Video)
8:00 PM: Heat @ Pistons
8:00 PM: Magic @ Nets
9:30 PM: Suns @ Thunder
9:30 PM: Kings @ Jazz
9:30 PM: Spurs @ Nuggets
10:00 PM: Grizzlies @ Clippers
10:00 PM: Rockets @ Warriors (Prime Video)
10:30 PM: Pelicans @ Lakers
Knockout Rounds
Quarterfinals: December 9-10
Semifinals: December 13 (Saturday)
Championship: December 16 (Tuesday)
