NBA’s In-Season Tournament Gains Momentum as Elite Eight Battle for Emirates NBA Cup

League officials highlight growing player investment and soaring Middle East viewership as the knockout stage tips off in Las Vegas.

The Emirates NBA Cup has moved firmly into its knockout phase, with eight teams securing their places in a tournament that league executives say is rapidly carving out its own identity within the basketball calendar.

The quarterfinal matchups, set to begin on December 9, will feature the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns. The semifinals and final will be held in Las Vegas on December 13 and 16, respectively.

Now in its second year, the in-season competition was created to heighten early-season stakes. According to James Jones, NBA Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations, the initiative has successfully shifted player perception from curiosity to committed competition.

“Initially, there was an adjustment period as everyone understood the concept,” Jones said. “Now, the players are fully invested. The Cup is forming its own identity—it provides another meaningful trophy to compete for within the marathon of an NBA season.”

The tournament’s growth is reflected in its international audience, with the Middle East standing out as a region of rapidly increasing engagement. Jones linked this surge directly to the league’s sustained presence in Abu Dhabi, which has hosted preseason games annually since 2022.

“Viewership continues to soar globally,” Jones noted. “Our games in Abu Dhabi have made the NBA more familiar and accessible here. The growth in the Middle East over the past five years has been remarkable.”

The knockout stage boasts a roster of superstar talent, including LeBron James (Lakers), Kevin Durant (Suns), Luka Doncic (Spurs), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), and Jalen Brunson (Knicks). Their involvement is expected to amplify the tournament’s intensity and viewership.

“Star power elevates both competition and interest,” Jones added. “This Cup gives younger players a playoff-like platform in December—a chance to prove themselves on a heightened stage.”

NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady echoed the sentiment that the tournament injects a valuable playoff atmosphere into the first half of the season. “It gives developing teams a chance to feel that pressure again,” McGrady said. “It raises the competitive nature of the entire league.”

As the quarterfinals approach, the Emirates NBA Cup is cementing its role as a pivotal mid-season event, offering fans a preview of playoff intensity and players an additional prestigious accolade to pursue.