TITLE: Lakers Draw Spurs, Warriors in 2026 Emirates NBA Cup Group; Tournament Tweaks Confirmed
SLUG: lakers-emirates-nba-cup-2026-groups-format-changes
CONTENT:
The NBA released the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup group assignments on Tuesday, placing the Los Angeles Lakers in a challenging West Group C alongside the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings.
Full 2026 Emirates NBA Cup Groups
West Group A: Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz
West Group B: Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, L.A. Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies
West Group C: Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings
East Group A: Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets
East Group B: New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers
East Group C: Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards
Key Adjustments for 2026-27
The NBA Cup will again open the regular season, but the league has refined the calendar:
- Each club plays four group games between Oct. 30 and Nov. 27, all scheduled on Friday “Cup Nights.”
- Two additional “specialty” Cup Nights are set for Tuesday, Nov. 24, and Wednesday, Nov. 25.
- Eight teams advance: the six group winners plus one wild card from each conference.
- Quarterfinals and semifinals move entirely to team markets on Dec. 4–5 and Dec. 8–9, respectively; last season only the quarterfinals were hosted locally.
- The championship game shifts to Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday, Dec. 11.
The league will release the complete game-by-game schedule in the coming months.
Source: Lakers Nation
