In a highly anticipated NBA Cup opening night matchup, Klay Thompson’s new team, the Dallas Mavericks, will square off against his former squad, the Golden State Warriors, on November 12. The NBA announced the schedule for the second edition of the in-season tournament on Tuesday, adding even more excitement to a game that marks the beginning of a new chapter in Thompson’s illustrious career.
Thompson, a five-time NBA All-Star, spent 13 seasons with the Warriors, during which he became a cornerstone of the franchise. He was instrumental in securing four NBA championships for Golden State, and his return to the Chase Center, this time in a Mavericks jersey, is set to be one of the highlights of the early NBA season.
The matchup between the Mavericks and the Warriors is expected to be exciting as the fans will witness Thompson going head-to-head against the team that helped him rise to stardom. This game is more than just a reunion; it’s a clash between two Western Conference powerhouses, both of whom have legitimate aspirations for the upcoming season.
In addition to the Dallas-Golden State showdown, the NBA Cup’s opening night will also feature an Eastern Conference battle between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams are anticipated to be strong contenders in the East, making this another must-watch game.
The NBA Cup, an in-season tournament introduced last year, adds a new level of competition to the regular season. Group-stage games, which will count towards the NBA standings, are scheduled to be played on Tuesdays and Fridays from November 12 to December 3. This format not only intensifies the competitive atmosphere but also keeps fans engaged throughout the early months of the season.
The tournament will culminate in knockout rounds, with the quarter-finals set for December 10-11. The semi-finals and finals will be held in Las Vegas on December 14 and 17, respectively, offering a neutral stage for the remaining teams to battle it out for the NBA Cup.
A notable matchup in the group stage will occur three days after the opening night, as the defending NBA Cup champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, travel to face the San Antonio Spurs.
The Lakers, who completed an undefeated title run in last year’s inaugural tournament, will be up against French sensation Victor Wembanyama, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year. This game is expected to draw significant attention, as Wembanyama continues to make waves in the league.
Other key games in the group stage include a November 22 clash between the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks, two teams that met in last year’s Cup semi-finals and the first round of the NBA playoffs. On the same day, the Mavericks will take on the Denver Nuggets, the reigning Western Conference champions, in what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
The group-stage play will conclude with a showdown between the Warriors and the Nuggets, ensuring the competition ends on a high note with another marquee matchup.
The NBA Cup features all 30 teams, each randomly assigned to one of six five-team groups. Teams will play four group-stage games, with the top three group winners and one wild card from each conference advancing to the knockout rounds. The structure ensures a wide array of matchups, offering fans across the league a chance to see their favourite teams compete in a high-stakes environment well before the playoffs.
