The NBA regular season is back, and we’re at the point where players – rookies and veterans – are getting used to their new team dynamics and finding their footing out on the court. Fans hope their team can find it fast, as the second annual NBA In-Season Tournament is just around the corner.
For those unfamiliar with the In-Season Tournament, a.k.a. the Emirates NBA Cup 2024, keep
reading this post to get all the information you need to be ready for game time.
Don’t have DIRECTV? It’s easy to sign up and stream today! Plus, access your favorite streaming apps all within your DIRECTV experience.
When is the NBA In Season Tournament & How do I watch it?
The second annual NBA Cup will run from Tuesday, November 12 until December 17th. Fans can tune into games on the following channels:
- NBA TV HD: Channel 216
- TNT CHANNEL: Channel 245
- ESPN CHANNEL: Channel 206
- NBA League Pass: Channels 750-768
Fans can also catch games on their local RSN – and with DIRECTV Sports Pack, fans can get access to 25+ additional RSNs.
What Is the NBA In-Season Tournament a.k.a. the NBA Cup?
The 2023-2024 National Basketball League season was the first in history to include the NBA In-Season Tournament. The tournament, also referred to as the NBA Cup, gives all 30 teams a chance to compete in tournament-style play during the first half of the season.
One of the biggest reasons for the addition is to drum up fan excitement during the first half of the regular season, after the initial excitement of the first few games wears off. More fan excitement, and more national television spots secured, ideally means more viewership – and revenue – for the NBA as a whole.
Another important reason for the In-Season Tournament, though, is to add some higher-stakes competition to early regular season games for players. With all 30 teams in play, no team is counted out, and any team could take the prize (more on that below).
In-Season Tournament Format
The In-Season Tournament will consist of two rounds: Group Play and the Knockout Round.
GROUP PLAY FORMAT
All 30 NBA teams have been randomly divided up into six groups of five based on their 2023-2024 records. Teams are not being divided by their division, but conference is taken into account, however, so Eastern Conference teams will not compete against Western Conference teams in Group Play, and vice versa.
Each team will play against the other four teams in their group once, with two games at home and two on the road. These Group Play games, which will take place on Cup Nights (Tuesdays and Fridays from Nov. 12 – Dec. 3) are counted as regular season games.
GROUP ASSIGNMENTS
The NBA In Season Tournament Groups are as follows:
East Group A: New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets
East Group B: Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons
East Group C: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards
West Group A: Minnesota Timberwolves, LA Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers
West Group B: Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs
West Group C: Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies
KNOCKOUT ROUND FORMAT
After all teams have played their designated games, the team with the best record from each group will move on to the Knockout Round. In the case of a tie within a group, there are multiple tiebreaker rules that will be followed.
In addition, two wild card teams – one from each conference – will also get a place in the Knockouts. Wild cards must have had the best record in Group Play that finished second.
The Knockouts will consist of the Quarterfinals, Semifinals and the Championship, which are single-elimination games played on December 10-11, December 14 and December 17, respectively. First and second round Knockout games will be counted toward teams’ regular season record.
WHAT DOES THE WINNER OF THE IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT GET?
The In-Season Tournament prize is not only the new NBA Cup trophy, but also a cash prize for each of the players who make it to the Knockouts. The further a team makes it toward the championship game, the more cash each of its players will bring home.
At the end of the tournament, one player will be chosen as the MVP. There will also be a vote for an All-Tournament Team.
Emirates NBA Cup 2024 Game Schedule
Find the full NBA In-Season Tournament 2024 schedule right here, so you know exactly when and where to tune in to watch your team play live.
| Date | Time | Matchup | Group | Watch Information |
| Nov. 12 | 7 PM ET | Atlanta Hawks @ Boston Celtics | East Group C | NBA League Pass NBC Sports Boston FanDuel Sports Network Southeast |
| Nov. 12 | 7 PM ET | Miami Heat @ Detroit Pistons | East Group B | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network (Detroit & Sun) |
| Nov. 12 | 7 PM ET | Charlotte Hornets @ Orlando Magic | East Group A | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network (Florida & Southeast) |
| Nov. 12 | 7 PM ET | New York Knicks @ Philadelphia 76ers | East Group A | TNT |
| Nov. 12 | 8 PM ET | Toronto Raptors @ Milwaukee Bucks | East Group B | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network (Wisconsin & SN) |
| Nov. 12 | 9 PM ET | Phoenix Suns @ Utah Jazz | West Group B | NBA League Pass KJZZ Arizona’s Family Sports |
| Nov. 12 | 10 PM ET | Dallas Mavericks @ Golden State Warriors | West Group C | TNT |
| Nov. 12 | 10 PM ET | Minnesota Timberwolves @ Portland Trail Blazers | West Group A | NBA League Pass KATU 2 FanDuel Sports Network North |
| Date | Time | Matchup | Group | Watch Information |
| Nov. 15 | 7 PM ET | Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers | East Group B | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network (Indiana & Sun) |
| Nov. 15 | 7 PM ET | Philadelphia 76ers @ Orlando Magic | East Group A | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network Florida NBC Sports Philadelphia |
| Nov. 15 | 7 PM ET | Detroit Pistons @ Toronto Raptors | East Group B | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network Detroit |
| Nov. 15 | 7:30 PM ET | Washington Wizards @ Atlanta Hawks | East Group C | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network Southeast Monumental Sports Network |
| Nov. 15 | 7:30 PM ET | Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers | East Group C | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network Ohio Chicago Sports Network |
| Nov. 15 | 7:30 PM ET | Brooklyn Nets @ New York Knicks | East Group A | NBA League Pass MSG YES |
| Nov. 15 | 7:30 PM ET | Los Angeles Lakers @ San Antonio Spurs | West Group B | ESPN Spectrum SportsNet |
| Nov. 15 | 8 PM ET | LA Clippers @ Houston Rockets | West Group A | NBA League Pass Space City Home Network FanDuel Sports Network – SoCal |
| Nov. 15 | 8 PM ET | Denver Nuggets @ New Orleans Pelicans | West Group C | NBA League Pass GCSN Altitude |
| Nov. 15 | 8 PM ET | Phoenix Suns @ Oklahoma City Thunder | West Group B | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network – Oklahoma Arizona’s Family Sports |
| Nov. 15 | 10 PM ET | Memphis Grizzlies @ Golden State Warriors | West Group C | ESPN NBC Sports Bay Area |
| Nov. 15 | 10 PM ET | Minnesota Timberwolves @ Sacramento Kings | West Group A | NBA League Pass NBCSCA FanDuel Sports Network – North |
| Date | Time | Matchup | Group | Watch Information |
| Nov. 19 | 7 PM ET | Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics | East Group C | TNT NBC Sports Boston |
| Nov. 19 | 7:30 PM ET | Charlotte Hornets @ Brooklyn Nets | East Group A | NBA League Pass YES FanDuel Sports Network Southeast |
| Nov.19 | 8 PM ET | Denver Nuggets @ Memphis Grizzlies | West Group C | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network Southeast |
| Nov. 19 | 8:30 PM ET | New Orleans Pelicans @ Dallas Mavericks | West Group C | NBA League Pass |
| Nov. 19 | 9:30 PM ET | Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs | West Group B | TNT ESPN |
| Nov. 19 | 10:30 PM ET | Utah Jazz @ Los Angeles Lakers | West Group B | NBA League Pass Spectrum SportsNet KJZZ |
| Date | Time | Matchup | Group | Watch Information |
| Nov. 22 | 7 PM ET | Brooklyn Nets @ Philadelphia 76ers | East Group A | NBA League Pass NBC Sports Philadelphia YES |
| Nov. 22 | 7 PM ET | Boston Celtics @ Washington Wizards | East Group C | NBA League Pass Monumental Sports Network NBC Sports Boston |
| Nov. 22 | 7:30 PM ET | Indiana Pacers @ Milwaukee Bucks | East Group B | ESPN FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin FanDuel Sports Network Indiana |
| Nov. 22 | 8 PM ET | Atlanta Hawks @ Chicago Bulls | East Group C | NBA League Pass Chicago Sports Network FanDuel Sports Network Southeast |
| Nov. 22 | 8 PM ET | Portland Trail Blazers @ Houston Rockets | West Group A | NBA League Pass Space City Home Network KATU 2 |
| Nov. 22 | 8 PM ET | Golden State Warriors @ New Orleans Pelicans | West Group C | NBA League Pass GCSEN NBC Sports Bay Area |
| Nov. 22 | 10 PM ET | Dallas Mavericks @ Denver Nuggets | West Group C | ESPN Altitude KFAA |
| Nov. 22 | 10:30 PM ET | Sacramento Kings @ LA Clippers | West Group A | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network SoCal NBCSCA |
| Date | Time | Matchup | Group | Watch Information |
| Nov. 26 | 7 PM ET | Chicago Bulls @ Washington Wizards | East Group C | NBA League Pass Monumental Sports Network Chicago Sports Network |
| Nov. 26 | 7:30 PM ET | Milwaukee Bucks @ Miami Heat | East Group B | TNT |
| Nov. 26 | 8 PM ET | Houston Rockets @ Minnesota Timberwolves | West Group A | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network North Space City Home Network |
| Nov. 26 | 9 PM ET | San Antonio Spurs @ Utah Jazz | West Group B | NBA League Pass KJZZ FanDuel Sports Network Southwest |
| Nov. 26 | 10 PM ET | Los Angeles Lakers @ Phoenix Suns | West Group B | TNT Spectrum SportsNet |
| Date | Time | Matchup | Group | Watch Information |
| Nov. 29 | 12 PM ET | New York Knicks @ Charlotte Hornets | East Group A | NBA TV FanDuel Sports Network Southeast MSG |
| Nov. 29 | 2:30 PM ET | Cleveland Cavaliers @ Atlanta Hawks | East Group C | NBA TV FanDuel Sports Network Southeast |
| Nov. 29 | 5 PM ET | New Orleans Pelicans @ Memphis Grizzlies | West Group C | NBA TV FanDuel Sports Network Southeast GCSN |
| Nov. 29 | 7:30 PM ET | Orlando Magic @ Brooklyn Nets | East Group A | NBA League Pass YES FanDuel Sports Network Florida |
| Nov. 29 | 7:30 PM ET | LA Clippers @ Minnesota Timberwolves | West Group A | ESPN FanDuel Sports Network North FanDuel Sports Network SoCal |
| Nov. 29 | 8 PM ET | Detroit Pistons @ Indiana Pacers | East Group B | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network Indiana |
| Nov. 29 | 8 PM ET | Toronto Raptors @ Miami Heat | East Group B | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network Sun TSN |
| Nov. 29 | 8 PM ET | Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls | East Group C | NBA League Pass NBC Sports Boston |
| Nov. 29 | 10 PM ET | Oklahoma City Thunder @ Los Angeles Lakers | West Group B | ESPN Spectrum SportsNet FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma |
| Nov. 29 | 10 PM ET | Sacramento Kings @ Portland Trail Blazers | West Group A | NBA League Pass KATU 2 NBCSCA |
| Date | Time | Matchup | Group | Watch Information |
| Dec. 3 | 7 PM ET | Philadelphia 76ers @ Charlotte Hornets | East Group A | NBA League Pass NBC Sports Philadelphia FanDuel Sports Network Southeast |
| Dec. 3 | 7 PM ET | Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers | East Group C | NBA League Pass Monumental Sports Network Ohio |
| Dec. 3 | 7:30 PM ET | Orlando Magic @ New York Knicks | East Group A | TNT MSG |
| Dec. 3 | 7:30 PM ET | Indiana Pacers @ Toronto Raptors | East Group B | NBA League Pass TSN FanDuel Sports Network Indiana |
| Dec. 3 | 8 PM ET | Utah Jazz @ Oklahoma City Thunder | West Group B | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma |
| Dec. 3 | 8:30 PM ET | Memphis Grizzlies @ Dallas Mavericks | West Group C | NBA League Pass KFAA-WFAA FanDuel Sports Network Southeast |
| Dec. 3 | 9 PM ET | San Antonio Spurs @ Phoenix Suns | West Group B | NBA League Pass Arizona Family 3TV FanDuel Sports Network Southwest |
| Dec. 3 | 10 PM ET | Golden State Warriors @ Denver Nuggets | West Group C | TNT NBC Sports Bay Area |
| Dec. 3 | 10 PM ET | Houston Rockets @ Sacramento Kings | West Group A | NBA League Pass NBCSCA Space City Home Network |
| Dec. 3 | 10 PM ET | LA Clippers @ Minnesota Timberwolves | West Group A | NBA League Pass FanDuel Sports Network North |
| Date | Time | Matchup | Watch Information |
| Dec. 10 | TBD | TBD @ TBD | TBD |
| Dec. 10 | TBD | TBD @ TBD | TBD |
| Dec. 11 | TBD | TBD @ TBD | TBD |
| Dec. 11 | TBD | TBD @ TBD | TBD |
| Dec. 14 | TBD | TBD @ TBD | TBD |
| Dec. 14 | TBD | TBD @ TBD | TBD |
| Dec. 17 | TBD | TBD @ TBD | TBD |
Watch NBA on DIRECTV
If you’re looking for a way to watch more games, both in and out of market, then NBA League Pass is the subscription for you.
NBA League Pass has every game available to stream, plus around-the-clock NBA TV coverage. Even if you miss a live game, you can catch up on demand and fill your evenings with the best NBA analysis and breakdowns.
You can add NBA League Pass to your DIRECTV account online for the whole season for just one payment of $99.99. You can also pay in three installments of $33.33.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NBA In Season Tournament?
The NBA In Season Tournament is a new initiative by the NBA that all 30 teams will compete in for a chance to win the NBA Cup.
When are In Season Tournament Games?
Group Play games will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays from November 12, 2024, to December 17, 2024.
How to watch the In Season Tournament?
You can watch In Season Tournament games on ESPN, TNT, NBA TV and NBA League Pass. You can watch local teams play on your designated Regional Sports Network.
DIRECTV Insider brings you our views on what’s happening in streaming, t.v., movies and sports. Companies and persons mentioned are not necessarily associated with and do not necessarily endorse DIRECTV. We will disclose sponsored content on our site when we show it to you, and some of the links on the site may be ads or affiliate links which means DIRECTV may earn compensation from your purchases.
