Overview
- Group play began Nov. 7 with early results posted, including the Lakers and Suns starting 1-0 and the Bulls and Celtics opening with wins in their pools.
- All 30 teams are split into six five-team groups, playing four group games before six group winners and two wild cards advance to the single-elimination Knockout Round.
- Quarterfinals are scheduled for Dec. 9–10 on home courts, the semifinals are Dec. 13 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and the championship is Dec. 16.
- Every Cup game except the final counts in the standings, eliminated teams receive added regular-season games to balance schedules, and finalists reach 83 counted games; championship stats do not count.
- Players earn escalating prize money in the Knockout Rounds — $50,000 for quarterfinalists up to more than $500,000 each for the champions — with a media-selected MVP and all-tournament team to be named.