For the first time since the event started three years ago, the Heat have qualified for the knockout round of the NBA Cup, the league’s in-season tournament.

Dec. 9 How they got here: Orlando clinched East Group B and the No. 1 overall seed with a win over Detroit on Friday. That Pistons loss, plus a Cavaliers loss, opened the door and Miami walked through it to advance as the Wild Card with a 3-1 record.

The Knicks advanced to the knockout round of the NBA Cup in 2023 and 2024 and they've played in six playoff series over the last three seasons. New York at least knows how to approach games like this, especially on the road, where it'll be on December 9 against the Raptors.

Over in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors and Magic cruised to 4–0 records to win Group A and Group B, respectively. The Knicks won Group C with a 118–109 win over the Bucks on Friday, and Miami clinched the wild card with both the Pistons and Cavaliers losing.

The NBA Cup is entering its knockout stages. Here's what to know for the eight remaining teams vying to get to Las Vegas.

This is the other MVP race where established stars merely confirm their existence and rising stars get a chance to announce their arrival. A few years ago, Tyrese Haliburton defined the latter when he pulled the Indiana Pacers to the NBA Cup title game, then last summer went to the NBA Finals.

Twelve teams head into the final day of NBA Cup group-stage games with a chance to join the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers in the knockout round.

Jalen Brunson scored 37 points and the New York Knicks advanced to the knockout round of the NBA Cup, beating the Milwaukee Bucks 118-109 on Friday night in

This is going to be fun. The Oklahoma City Thunder play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night in the midst of a three game home stand for the Br