NBA Cup Breakdown: How Each Team Can Still Advance
The NBA Cup 2025 arrives with early narratives, bold predictions, and questions about which teams—like the Raptors, Bulls, and Thunder—will make it to Las Vegas. Now in its third edition, the tournament blends holiday excitement with controversy about its true purpose.
Road to Las Vegas
To reach the conference semifinals, also known as the Hard-Way Eight, teams must either top their group or secure the wild-card slot reserved for the best non-winner in each conference. The setup leaves little room for surprises but promises intensity as squads fight for a brief moment in the spotlight.
Media Choices and Broadcasts
Television networks heavily influence which games the public gets to watch during the round-robin stage, often favoring familiar teams over competitive parity.
“On Cup opening night last week, Prime Video brought us three big-name teams – the Celtics, 76ers and Lakers – who won a total of ONE playoff series a year ago.”
Although these lineups haven’t proven dominant recently, featuring stars like Jayson Tatum and LeBron James guarantees viewer interest. On the West Coast, NBC Lite plans to highlight teams such as the Rockets (without Fred VanVleet) and the Warriors (missing Stephen Curry), even if stronger matchups were available.
Final Thoughts
While the NBA Cup's prize may not stir major excitement, the route to Vegas ensures enough drama, rivalry, and spectacle to keep fans invested through the holiday season.
Author’s Summary
The NBA Cup 2025 mixes spectacle and skepticism, offering familiar stars, uneven broadcasts, and fierce group battles on the path to Las Vegas glory.