The second edition of the In-Season Tournament, now called the Emirates NBA Cup, will take place during the 2024-25 NBA season.
This tournament adds excitement to the early part of the season, offering meaningful games right from the start. Unlike the typical wait for end-of-season playoff action, the NBA Cup motivates teams to compete for a trophy early in the year.
Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers set the bar by winning the inaugural tournament and raising the championship banner. The Houston Rockets, along with the other 28 teams, will be aiming to follow in their footsteps and claim the title next season.
On Tuesday, the schedules for the NBA Cup were released, placing the Rockets in West Group A alongside the Minnesota Timberwolves, LA Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and Portland Trail Blazers.
The Timberwolves are likely the toughest competition in the group, coming off a Western Conference Finals appearance. The Clippers are uncertain after losing Paul George in free agency, while the Kings are still establishing themselves with the addition of DeMar DeRozan to their roster alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. The Trail Blazers are the one team the Rockets seem to have a strong advantage over.
In this format, eight teams, including six group winners, advance to the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup. With three groups in each conference, one wild card team from each conference also advances based on their record and point differential.
The Rockets’ NBA Cup journey begins on Nov. 15, with a home game against the Clippers. A week later, they host the Trail Blazers before traveling to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves on Nov. 26, followed by a final group match on Dec. 3 in Sacramento.
While playing in Minnesota and Sacramento will be challenging for the Rockets, they have a good chance of winning their home games against the Clippers and Trail Blazers. If they can split the road games and sweep the home games, they’ll be in a strong position in Group A.
Could the Rockets make it to the knockout rounds and head to Las Vegas next season?
One advantage Houston has is its status as an up-and-coming team with playoff aspirations. They need to maintain high energy throughout the regular season, as demonstrated by their 41-41 record and 11th-place finish in the Western Conference last season.
With the addition of Reed Sheppard, the Rockets are counting on the growth of their young players to support their veterans and push them into the playoffs. Winning the NBA Cup or at least advancing in the group stage would be a strong indicator of their progress.
Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, both eligible for rookie contract extensions, should begin the season highly motivated. If Green can carry over his late-season form into the new year, it could give the entire team a boost.