NBA Cup 2024: Quarterfinal Matchups and Early Storylines
The 2024 NBA Cup quarterfinals feature a fresh wave of teams, with six of the eight participants advancing to this stage for the first time. The only teams to return from last year’s quarterfinals are the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks, setting the stage for some exciting matchups ahead.
The Knicks will face off against the Atlanta Hawks, led by Trae Young, while the Bucks will take on the Orlando Magic. On the Western Conference side, the Oklahoma City Thunder will meet the Dallas Mavericks, and the Golden State Warriors will visit the Houston Rockets.
Key Dates:
- Quarterfinals: December 10-11
- Semifinals: December 14 (Las Vegas)
- Championship Game: December 17 (Las Vegas)
Notable Absences: Both of the 2023 NBA Cup finalists, the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers, failed to advance beyond the group stage this year. The Lakers finished with a 2-2 record in West Group B, while the Pacers ended at the bottom of East Group B with a disappointing 0-4 mark. As a result, the Bucks and Knicks stand as the only teams with quarterfinal experience, setting up intriguing storylines for the knockout rounds.
Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks, who lost in the semifinals last year, are the only team in the quarterfinals with a deep run under their belt. Milwaukee, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, will look to build on their experience from last season. Last year, the Bucks defeated the Knicks 146-122 in the quarterfinals before falling to the Pacers. The Bucks are poised to make another deep run, but this time they’ll face a new challenge in the Orlando Magic.
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks: One of the most compelling matchups of the quarterfinals is the Knicks’ battle with the Hawks. Trae Young, who has a history of postseason dominance at Madison Square Garden, returns to New York for another showdown. In the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Young delivered three 30-point performances to knock the Knicks out in the first round. He averages 25.6 points per game against New York, and he’ll need another heroic effort to overcome the Knicks on their home floor.
Atlanta surprised many by winning its group, defeating Boston without Young and beating Cleveland to secure the top spot in East Group B. Despite being the underdog, the Hawks’ matchup with New York is the most intriguing due to Young’s history in MSG. The Knicks, who clinched first place in East Group A with a dominant win over the Magic, are expected to advance, but the Hawks could still pull off an upset with a strong performance from Young.
Golden State Warriors: In the West, the Golden State Warriors are the team with the most championship pedigree. Despite their stars aging, the Warriors have reloaded with youthful talent, making them a formidable contender for the NBA Cup. Golden State’s experience was crucial in their group stage victory over the Mavericks, a win that helped them secure first place in West Group C. Stephen Curry, still one of the best clutch players in the game, will be key in their matchup with the Houston Rockets.
A deep run in the NBA Cup would prove that the Warriors still have championship aspirations, especially with Curry and Draymond Green leading the charge. However, Golden State is currently the lowest-ranked team in the West among the remaining quarterfinalists, which could make their road to the finals more challenging.
Oklahoma City Thunder: The Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the biggest surprises of the season, finishing atop West Group B despite being without rising star Chet Holmgren due to injury. OKC’s wins over the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers helped them secure the top spot in their group. The Thunder have been impressive, and with Holmgren expected to return later in the season, they could be even more dangerous in the future. OKC is among the favorites to make a deep playoff run, and their success in the NBA Cup would send a message to the league that the Thunder are a force to be reckoned with.
Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets: The Dallas Mavericks, who made an NBA Finals appearance last season, have been steady, currently sitting in third place in the Western Conference. They will face a tough opponent in the Oklahoma City Thunder, but with star players like Luka Dončić, they remain a serious threat.
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets, another surprise team this season, have the second-best record in the West. With a roster filled with young talent, the Rockets are making a statement as they challenge more established teams in the West. Houston’s matchup with the Warriors will be a pivotal test for their NBA Cup ambitions.
Looking Ahead: As the NBA Cup quarterfinals approach, it’s clear that the competition is wide open. The Bucks and Knicks are the only teams with previous quarterfinal experience, but the new faces in the field, including Oklahoma City, Houston, and Dallas, are proving that they can hang with the league’s elite. A win in the NBA Cup could signal that one of these emerging teams might be a major contender in the regular season as well.
The NBA Cup is set to provide high-stakes, one-off games that will keep fans on the edge of their seats as teams battle for the prestigious title.
