If you missed it, the In-Season Tournament is no longer going by that name. From this point forward, the event is called the NBA Cup, and on Friday night before the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers squared off at Summer League in Las Vegas, we learned which teams will play in which groups for the 2024 edition of the event. Here’s how the groups break down: Western Conference Minnesota Timberwolves Los Angeles Clippers Sacramento Kings Houston Rockets Portland Trail Blazers Oklahoma City Thunder Phoenix Suns Los Angeles Lakers Utah Jazz San Antonio Spurs Denver Nuggets Dallas Mavericks New Orleans Pelicans Golden State Warriors Memphis Grizzlies Eastern Conference New York Knicks Orlando Magic Philadelphia 76ers Brooklyn Nets Charlotte Hornets Milwaukee Bucks Indiana Pacers Miami Heat Toronto Raptors Detroit Pistons Boston Celtics Cleveland Cavaliers Chicago Bulls Atlanta Hawks Washington Wizards Every group has something interesting in it, but nothing sticks out quite like Group C in the Western Conference, which has the potential to be a bloodbath if the Grizzlies are able to return to their 2022-23 form.
It’s the clear-cut Group of Death, and while the Eastern Conference doesn’t really have anything quite as bad, Group A — which will feature a rematch of last season’s instant classic playoff series between the Knicks and the Sixers — has the potential to be a joy..
