TITLE: G League Releases 2025/26 Schedule, Expands Playoffs to 16 Teams
SLUG: g-league-releases-2025-26-schedule-expands-playoffs
CONTENT:
The NBA G League on Tuesday published its full calendar for the 2025/26 campaign, detailing a late-December start to the regular season and a larger postseason field.
Tip-Off Tournament Returns in November
The season opens with the 14-game Tip-Off Tournament, beginning Friday, November 7. All 31 clubs will be divided into four geographic regions, playing within those groups. The four regional leaders, plus the next four best teams league-wide, will advance to a single-elimination bracket staged during the Winter Showcase in Orlando from December 19–22.
Regular Season Begins at Winter Showcase
Immediately after the Showcase, the 36-game regular season starts and runs through Saturday, March 28. For the first time, the top eight teams in each conference—16 total—will qualify for the spring playoffs. Until now, only the top six per conference moved on.
Affiliations and Rebrand
All 30 NBA franchises will again operate their own G League teams. The lone independent club remains the Mexico City Capitanes. The Indiana Pacers’ affiliate has changed its name from the Indiana Mad Ants to the Noblesville Boom and will relocate to The Arena at Innovation Mile.
2025/26 G League Teams
- Atlanta Hawks: College Park Skyhawks
- Boston Celtics: Maine Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets: Long Island Nets
- Charlotte Hornets: Greensboro Swarm
- Chicago Bulls: Windy City Bulls
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Cleveland Charge
- Dallas Mavericks: Texas Legends
- Denver Nuggets: Grand Rapids Gold
- Detroit Pistons: Motor City Cruise
- Golden State Warriors: Santa Cruz Warriors
- Houston Rockets: Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Indiana Pacers: Noblesville Boom
- Los Angeles Clippers: San Diego Clippers
- Los Angeles Lakers: South Bay Lakers
- Memphis Grizzlies: Memphis Hustle
- Miami Heat: Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Milwaukee Bucks: Wisconsin Herd
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Iowa Wolves
- New Orleans Pelicans: Birmingham Squadron
- New York Knicks: Westchester Knicks
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Oklahoma City Blue
- Orlando Magic: Osceola Magic
- Philadelphia 76ers: Delaware Blue Coats
- Phoenix Suns: Valley Suns
- Portland Trail Blazers: Rip City Remix
- Sacramento Kings: Stockton Kings
- San Antonio Spurs: Austin Spurs
- Toronto Raptors: Raptors 905
- Utah Jazz: Salt Lake City Stars
- Washington Wizards: Capital City Go-Go
- No NBA affiliation: Mexico City Capitanes
The league’s updated structure sets the stage for an expanded chase to the championship when postseason play tips off next spring.
Source: Hoops Rumors
