The NBA Cup, officially known as the Emirates NBA Cup, is the league's in-season tournament introduced to add competitive stakes during the regular season. The tournament features a group stage followed by knockout rounds, culminating in a championship game.
The inaugural championship game took place on December 16, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the San Antonio Spurs faced the New York Knicks. The trophy was on display ahead of the final, as captured in a Getty Images photo by Steve Marcus.
