Explainer · November 6, 2026 · Rules checked November 6
You’re following the Sixers. Then a game gets labeled “NBA Cup,” and suddenly there’s another set of standings to understand.
Here’s what Philadelphia is playing for.
A tournament inside the season
The Emirates NBA Cup gives NBA teams a separate trophy to pursue during the regular season. All 30 teams enter, but only eight reach the elimination stage. It doesn’t replace the spring playoffs or the NBA championship. NBA FAQ
Who is in Philadelphia’s group?
The Sixers share East Group B with Cleveland, Indiana, Miami and New York. Sixers Cup page
Each team plays its four group opponents once, splitting those games between home and road. Only designated Cup games determine the group standings—not every game on the regular-season schedule. NBA FAQ
How do teams advance?
Each of the six groups produces a winner. Two additional teams qualify as wild cards: the best second-place team in each conference, with tiebreakers applied when needed.
From there, the quarterfinals, semifinals and final are single elimination. Lose, and your Cup run ends. NBA FAQ
Do these wins count toward the regular season?
Yes—with one exception. The final sits outside the regular-season standings. Group games, quarterfinals and semifinals count, and every team still has an 82-game regular-season schedule. Sixers Cup FAQ
What is different in 2026?
The higher seeds host the quarterfinals and semifinals. The December 11 final is in Indianapolis at Hinkle Fieldhouse. NBA format guide
What should Sixers fans watch?
Track Philadelphia’s Cup record separately from its overall record. A strong regular-season start doesn’t automatically secure a place in the knockout rounds.
For SUI, the extra interest is seeing how Philadelphia handles games with a tournament consequence. Can the Sixers execute under pressure, adjust when an opponent disrupts their plan, and keep building consistency? Those are useful questions even after the Cup ends.
Does the NBA Cup make these early-season games more interesting to you—or are you focused on the playoff picture? Tell us in the comments.
Read next: 8–1 and Getting Our Attention: The Sixers Head Into NBA Cup Night
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