2024 NBA Cup Bracket, Schedule, Analysis, and How to Watch
The NBA Cup semifinals are set with exciting matchups featuring top teams and star players ready to battle for the championship
NBA Cup, Las Vegas, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets
LAS VEGAS: So, we’ve reached the final four of the NBA Cup, and it’s a bit surprising, right? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the charge for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and they’re set to face the Houston Rockets, who are no slouches either. They’ve got a solid defense and a rising star in Alperen Sengun. Over in the East, it’s a showdown between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks, both teams hitting their stride at just the right moment.
Let’s break down what’s happening with the NBA Cup. It kicked off with all 30 teams split into six groups, each with five teams. They played four games, and those counted as regular season games too. The top teams from each group, plus a wild card, moved on to the knockout rounds. This week, we saw some intense games, with Milwaukee taking down Orlando and Atlanta beating New York, while Oklahoma City and Houston also advanced after some nail-biting finishes.
Now, the semifinals are happening in Las Vegas on December 14. The Bucks will face the Hawks at 4:30 PM ET on TNT, and then the Thunder will go up against the Rockets at 8:30 PM ET on ABC. The championship game is set for December 17, and it’s going to be a blast!
Looking at the Bucks and Hawks, both teams started the season a bit slow but have really turned it around. Giannis is playing like an MVP, and Trae Young is always a threat. Their last matchup was a close one, with the Hawks pulling off a win thanks to some great performances from Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter.
On the other side, the Thunder and Rockets are the top two teams in the West, and they both have killer defenses. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the Thunder, while the Rockets are all about that fast-paced, athletic play. They’ve split their meetings this season, so it’s anyone’s game.
And let’s not forget about the cash! Winning the NBA Cup comes with a nice payday. Each player on the winning team will snag over half a million dollars. Even the players with big contracts are motivated by that kind of money. The breakdown is pretty interesting, with players on losing teams still walking away with a decent chunk.
As for the odds, Milwaukee is favored over Atlanta, and Oklahoma City has the edge against Houston. It’s shaping up to be an exciting finish to the tournament!
Oh, and just a quick note: last year, the Lakers took home the trophy, but they didn’t make it past group play this time around. So, we’re definitely going to see a new champion this year!