"The third iteration of the Emirates NBA Cup is set to start on Halloween night, Oct. 31 -- a little over a week after the 2025-26 NBA regular season tips off. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were able to win the inaugural in-season tournament trophy in 2023, with James claiming the honors of tournament MVP. Last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks raised their NBA Cup banner over the eventual NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder."
"Establishing an in-season cup competition within the NBA schedule came from soccer leagues having both a regular-season title, won by the team with the most points over the full year, and a separate tournament (or, in some leagues, multiple tournaments) that runs concurrently with the league season. In England, for example, there are the various divisions -- led by the Premier League -- and also the FA Cup competition."
Emirates NBA Cup's third edition begins Oct. 31, shortly after the 2025-26 NBA regular season begins. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural 2023 tournament, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks won last season. The competition mirrors European soccer cup formats and is integrated into the regular-season schedule. The 30 NBA teams are divided into six five-team groups, three per conference, with each team playing four group games. Group winners and the single best non-group winner advance to the knockout stage. The tournament includes rule changes and a Las Vegas final, offering in-season hardware and momentum toward the postseason.
Read at ESPN.com
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