The 2026 NBA Cup tips off on October 30, marking the fourth season of the league's in-season tournament. The competition runs over six weeks, with four group-stage games determining eight knockout qualifiers, culminating in the championship at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on December 11.
Bold predictions for the 2026 NBA Cup
1. The defending champion New York Knicks will fail to advance from East Group B, which includes the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Indiana Pacers. This would make the Knicks the third consecutive Cup winner to miss the knockout stage the following year, after the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks.
2. The Portland Trail Blazers are predicted to win West Group C, led by the backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and Ja Morant. Lillard previously won the Cup with Milwaukee.
3. The Sacramento Kings could set a record for the worst point differential in group play. After losing by 25 and 27 points in their first four games, they face a tough West Group C schedule against the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Trail Blazers, and Golden State Warriors. The current record is held by the 2025 Utah Jazz at -85 over four games.
4. The Eastern Conference finalist will be decided between the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. Both teams have started the season strongly and benefit from relatively manageable groups, with injuries to Paolo Banchero and Kawhi Leonard weakening their main rivals.
5. The Houston Rockets are tipped to win the 2026 NBA Cup. Despite Alperen Sengun missing early group games with a back injury, the Rockets have a favorable path in West Group A (Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz). The return of Fred VanVleet and the presence of Kevin Durant give Houston a strong chance to use the tournament as a proving ground after a first-round playoff exit last season.
