Updated NBA Cup Standings and Projected Eight-Team Knockout Bracket After Week 3

A look at the latest NBA Cup standings and how the NBA Cup bracket would look if group stage ended Friday night.

Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper and the Spurs routed the Warriors 123–85 at Frost Bank Center on Friday night. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Three weeks into the fourth edition of the NBA Cup, teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack—for better or worse.

We witnessed a few ugly blowouts on Friday night. Without Steph Curry, the Warriors fell behind the Spurs 18–0 a few minutes into the first quarter and limped to a 123–85 loss. The Grizzlies beat the struggling Pelicans 142–111, and the Trail Blazers stayed hot with a 120–107 win over the Kings.

The best game of the night was a back-and-forth affair between the Clippers and the Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went off for 40 points, but Brook Lopez was clutch down the stretch and Los Angeles finished off Oklahoma City for a 113–112 upset win. This is March? Nay, this is the Cup.

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With four NBA Cup nights remaining on the schedule, here’s how the eight-team knockout bracket would look if the group stage ended this evening:

Projected 2026 NBA Cup knockout bracket (through games Friday, Nov. 13)

Over in the East, the Celtics remain the projected No. 1 seed. Boston didn’t play Friday night, but the Celtics are sitting pretty with a +53 point differential. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Heat are off to a slow start this season, but you wouldn’t know it looking at the NBA Cup standings. Miami is a perfect 2–0 with matchups against the 76ers and Knicks to go. With an eight-point win over the Bucks, the Magic grab the No. 3 seed atop East Group A, and the Pistons sneak in as the wild card at 1–0.

In the West, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs hold a comfortable lead for the No. 1 seed after beating the Warriors by 38 points on Friday. San Antonio’s point differential in the NBA Cup is tied with Boston for the league high at +53. The Wolves, Mavs and Nuggets round out the field.

A projected bracket for the 2026 NBA Cup, through games Nov. 13. | Sports Illustrated

NBA Cup standings (through games Friday, Nov. 13)

West: Group A

1. Mavericks (2–0, +17)
2. Nuggets (1–0, +7)
3. Rockets (1–1, +2)
4. Suns (0–1, –7)
5. Jazz (0–2, -19)

West: Group B

1. Timberwolves (2–0, +32)
2. Clippers (1–1, -25)
3. Thunder (1–1, +30)
4. Grizzlies (1–1, 0)
5. Pelicans (0–2, -37)

West: Group C

1. Spurs (2–0, +53)
2. Warriors (1–1, -21)
3. Lakers (1–1, -11)
4. Trail Blazers (1–1, +7)
5. Kings (0–2, -28)

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West: Wild Card

1. Nuggets (1–0, +7)
2. Thunder (1–1, +30)
3. Trail Blazers (1–1, +7)
4. Rockets (1–1, +2)
5. Grizzlies (1–1, 0)

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East: Group A

1. Magic (2–0, +15)
2. Pistons (1–0, +16)
3. Raptors (1–1, +7)
4. Nets (0–1, -16)
5. Bucks (0–2, -22)

East: Group B

1. Heat (2–0, +32)
2. Cavaliers (1–1, +12)
3. Pacers (1–1, -18)
4. 76ers (1–1, -19)
5. Knicks (0–2, -7)

East: Group C

1. Celtics (2–0, +53)
2. Bulls (1–1, -6)
3. Hawks (1–1, -1)
4. Wizards (1–1, +9)
5. Hornets (0–2, -55)

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East: Wild Card

1. Pistons (1–0, +16)
2. Cavaliers (1–1, +12)
3. Wizards (1–1, +9)
4. Raptors (1–1, +7)
5. Hawks (1–1, -1)

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