DALLAS — When you watch some Mavs games this season, you'll notice from time to time that the court looks very different than it normally does. Why?
These are games denoted as "NBA Cup Nights" – games that count towards the in-season NBA Cup tournament.
When the Mavs host these games, the court will look blue like this:
The Mavericks' first NBA Cup Night is on the road, however, against the Golden State Warriors in Klay Thompson's return to The Bay. Dallas will host its first NBA Cup Night against the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 19 on WFAA and KFAA.
What is an NBA Cup game? When did the NBA Cup start?
This is the second season of the annual in-season tournament. In the inaugural tournament last year, the Los Angeles Lakers hoisted the in-season trophy after beating the Indiana Pacers in the championship game.
There are a total of 67 games in group play and knockout rounds – all of which count towards the 82-game regular season schedule so teams aren't playing extra games.
Where is the NBA Cup played?
In the group stage, NBA Cup Nights will be played at the designated home team's arena. All 30 teams were drawn into six groups of five teams, and each team will play two home Cup Night games and two away Cup Night games.
After the group stage is completed, the team with the best standing in group play games in each of the six groups and two “wild cards” (the team from each conference with the best record in group play games that finished second in its group) will advance to the knockout rounds.
The quarterfinals will be played in NBA markets, then the semifinals and championship will be played in Las Vegas.
What does the winner of the NBA Cup get?
All players on the winning NBA Cup team will receive a $500,000 prize and the team will get the NBA Cup trophy.
2024 NBA Cup: Who is in the Mavericks' group? What is the Mavs' NBA Cup schedule?
The Dallas Mavericks were drawn into West Group C, which features the Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies.
Here is a look at the Dallas Mavericks Cup Night schedule:
Group stage
- Nov. 12: at Golden State (TNT – 9 p.m. CT)
- Nov. 19: vs. New Orleans (WFAA / KFAA – 7:30 p.m. CT)
- Nov. 22: at Denver (ESPN / KFAA – 9 p.m. CT)
- Dec. 3: vs. Memphis (WFAA / KFAA – 7:30 p.m. CT)
Knockout round
- TBD
For more information about the NBA Cup, click here.
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