The Emirates NBA Cup Final is right around the corner. The knockout stage begins this week, Tuesday, Dec. 9. Eight teams vie for four spots to play in Las Vegas, but only two will meet next week for the NBA Cup trophy. Here are all the important details fans need to watch the final two squads compete for the title and a $514,970 bonus incentive.
How to Watch the NBA Cup Final
The Emirates NBA Cup Championship is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 8:30 p.m. at the T-Mobile Arena. Fans can tune into the nationally televised action on Prime Video. The game will not be available on regional sports networks.
Both the knockout round and semi-final contests count toward teams’ regular-season numbers. However, the Championship match does not count toward the two teams’ regular-season records or statistics. As a result, they will technically play 83 games across the 2025-26 campaign, while the other 28 teams compete for 82.
Four squads from each conference kept their chances alive for the cup. The Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers remain in contention in the Western Conference. The Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Toronto Raptors represent the Eastern Conference.
Last year’s champs, the Milwaukee Bucks, did not reach the knockout stage. They went 2-10 in their last 12 games, many of which Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out due to injury. The Bucks’ superstar now remains on the sidelines once again for 2-4 weeks with a calf strain, and Milwaukee sits 10th in the Eastern Conference at 10-15.
Key Injury Statuses Heading into the Knockout Stage
Phoenix owns a 13-10 record heading into the knockout stage. Dillon Brooks and Collin Gillespie stepped up in a big way this season. Jalen Green’s hamstring injuries limited him to two games. However, Devin Booker’s availability for the knockout stage is unknown after suffering a groin strain on Dec. 1.
The Thunder, simply put, look almost unstoppable. They have a 23-1 record, and most of their wins came without All-Star Jalen Williams, who only has five games under his belt. Oklahoma City showed it can rack up wins with its depth, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed the last game with left elbow bursitis.
Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle are both sidelined heading into the knockout stage, but they could return this week. Both players practiced over the weekend, and despite them missing over two weeks, the Spurs have a 15-7 record. De’Aaron Fox started the season slowly, but he ramped up his production during Wembanyama and Castle’s absence, keeping his team afloat.
Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs suffered injuries in the Magic-Knicks game on Dec. 7. Wagner hurt his left knee on an awkward fall, and Suggs limped to the locker room in the fourth quarter with a leg/groin injury. They can be considered questionable at best for the knockout stage, although Wagner’s injury might lead to a long-term absence.
Tyler Herro missed the Heat’s last two games with a toe injury. He only played five games this season due to an offseason toe procedure, but Miami’s hot offense still guided them to a 15-10 record.
RJ Barrett injured his right knee on Nov. 23. The Raptors announced a re-evaluation date seven days later, but the team has not provided an update. Their nine-game win streak propelled them to a 15-10 record heading into the knockout stage.
