2024 NBA Cup: Surprises, Disappointments, and Predictions as Group Play Heats Up
We’re officially nearing the end of group play in the 2024 NBA Cup, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With the knockout round looming, teams are battling for their spot in the quarterfinals, and the picture is starting to come into focus. The action has been intense, the surprises plentiful, and the disappointments, well, let’s just say some teams have a lot to think about.
So far, the Golden State Warriors have been the class of the tournament, cruising through West Group C to secure their spot in the knockouts. Joining them are the Houston Rockets, who punched their ticket with a thrilling overtime win against the Minnesota Timberwolves in West Group A. But not every team has had it so easy. The Los Angeles Lakers, last year’s in-season tournament champions, are now in a tough spot after a crushing 127-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns. With a plus-12 point differential heading into Tuesday, the Lakers now find themselves chasing the Suns in West Group B.
As group play wraps up on Dec. 3, the quarterfinals are set for Dec. 10 and 11, with teams vying for the second-ever in-season tournament trophy and a cool $500,000 per player. To break it all down, we asked our NBA insiders to weigh in on the biggest questions of the tournament so far. Let’s dive in.
Which Group Has Been the Toughest?
Michael Wright: West Group C takes the crown here. With three teams in the top seven of the Western Conference—the Warriors, Denver Nuggets, and Memphis Grizzlies—this group has been a gauntlet. Add in the defending West champion Dallas Mavericks, and you’ve got a stacked lineup. Injuries have hampered the Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans, but the Warriors have been unstoppable, becoming the first team to clinch a knockout spot while eliminating New Orleans in the process.
Tim MacMahon: West Group B has lived up to its billing as the toughest group. Featuring three playoff teams from last season—the Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Suns—plus a resurgent San Antonio Spurs, this group is a dogfight. All four teams have one loss in NBA Cup play, and the race for the knockout stage will go down to the wire.
Dave McMenamin: East Group C has been a surprise. With the defending champion Boston Celtics and the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers, this group also includes the scrappy Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks. Tuesday’s games left Chicago, Atlanta, and Boston tied for third, setting up a dramatic finish on Friday.
Biggest Surprise Run?
Dave McMenamin: The Milwaukee Bucks have been stellar in group play, going 3-0, including a win over the Indiana Pacers and a road victory in Miami without Giannis Antetokounmpo. They’ve been pedestrian outside the tournament, but in the NBA Cup, they look like contenders.
Ohm Youngmisuk: The Detroit Pistons are 2-0 in the tournament, a shocking turnaround for a team that won just 14 games last season. Their overtime win against the Miami Heat was aided by a rare coaching gaffe, but they’ve put themselves in the mix for the knockout rounds.
Chris Herring: The Rockets have been a revelation. With a league-best point differential of plus-49, they’ve dominated group play. Their defense, led by Amen Thompson, has been elite, and they’ve found a winning formula under coach Ime Udoka.
Most Disappointing Team?
Tim MacMahon: The Timberwolves have been a letdown. They opened with a loss to the rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers and followed it up with an overtime loss to the Rockets. For a team with playoff aspirations, this is a tough pill to swallow.
Michael Wright: The Nuggets have been underwhelming, losing to a depleted Pelicans squad and a Luka Doncic-less Mavericks team. Coach Michael Malone has publicly called out his team, and it’s clear they need to step up.
Group-Play MVP?
Michael Wright: Damian Lillard has been electric for the Bucks, averaging 30.5 points and 12.5 assists while shooting 52.4% from deep. His performance against the Heat without Giannis sealed his MVP case.
Chris Herring: Franz Wagner of the Magic has been sensational, averaging 31.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in group play. He’s been the driving force behind Orlando’s success.
As the NBA Cup heats up, the drama is only just beginning. With the knockout rounds on the horizon, the stakes are higher than ever. Who will rise to the occasion, and who will fall short? Stay tuned.
Originally Written by: Michael Wright
