Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is poised to return to action after missing multiple games with a left quadriceps contusion and muscle strain, the team announced this week. After roughly a five-game absence, Curry has resumed full practices and is expected to suit up Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chase Center.
Curry&rsquo;s injury &ndash; suffered on Nov. 26 in a game against the Houston Rockets &ndash; forced him out as the Warriors navigated a stretch of games without their franchise centerpiece. Warrior head coach Steve Kerr described Curry&rsquo;s progress as positive after recent workouts, and the 37-year-old sharpshooter participated in live scrimmages during Wednesday&rsquo;s practice, a critical step toward clearing him to play.
During his absence, Golden State went 3-2, highlighting the team&rsquo;s resilience even without its leading scorer. But Curry&rsquo;s return is expected to bring an offensive jolt &ndash; particularly as the Warriors look to climb the Western Conference standings and find consistency with a full roster.
Curry&rsquo;s workload may be cautiously managed in his first game back, as the Warriors integrate him alongside a crowded backcourt featuring De&rsquo;Anthony Melton, Pat Spencer, Brandin Podziemski and others. Kerr has emphasized the need for chemistry, but also sees depth as a strength moving forward.
With his return imminent, Warriors fans are hopeful that Curry &ndash; still averaging nearly 28 points per game prior to the injury &ndash; will help stabilize Golden State&rsquo;s offense and bolster their competitive push in the middle of the season.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is poised to return to action after missing multiple games with a left quad strain.

Stephen Curry set to rejoin Warriors after quad injury

Missing Trae Young due to a knee injury, Jalen Johnson has stepped up his game and is showing that he can be a capable star to build a team on.
Jalen Johnson&rsquo;s rise was kind of expected and supposed to happen this season. The talent was always evident, the flashes from last season undeniable, and the physical tools have been impossible to ignore. But what he is doing now feels different. This kind of leap &mdash; the kind that changes a career, reshapes a franchise, and forces the rest of the league to pay attention.
In a season where the Atlanta Hawks have started out with injuries and inconsistency, Johnson has become their stabilizer, their do-everything engine, and their unexpected source of hope early on in the season. While Trae Young sits with a knee injury, Johnson has not only stepped into a larger responsibility, but he has exceeded it.
His back-to-back triple-doubles over his last two games have been kind of an exclamation point on what has become one of the best storylines in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks aren&rsquo;t just surviving because of him, they are afloat and in the middle of it all because of him.
The modern NBA is defined by size, versatility, and decision-making &ndash; and Johnson checks all three boxes in a way few forwards his age can. At 6-foot-9 with a strong frame and smooth athleticism, he has embraced the role of a jumbo playmaker in Atlanta&rsquo;s offense.
He attacks the rim with force, overwhelms smaller defenders, and uses his long strides to blow past slower ones. But what truly elevates his game is the way he manipulates defenses as both a driver and a passer. Whether he&rsquo;s initiating pick-and-rolls, operating in the short roll, or pushing in transition, Johnson processes the floor with the composure of a seasoned guard &ndash; all while playing the forward position and being 6&rsquo;9.
This is the version Atlanta dreamed of when they selected him in 2021 &ndash; the kind of multi-faceted forward who can anchor possessions on his own, create advantages for others, and serve as a connective tissue across every lineup combination.
Johnson&rsquo;s growth as a scorer has been just as impressive. His finishing touch around the rim continues to evolve, showcasing a mix of power and finesse that keeps defenses guessing. His improved jumper may be the most important development, as he&rsquo;s spacing the floor effectively, shooting the ball with confidence, and converting catch-and-shoot opportunities at a level that forces defenses to stay honest. When opponents bring help, he punishes them with skip passes and timely reads and his athleticism is put to good use with force.
He&rsquo;s no longer an &ldquo;upside piece&rdquo; Atlanta hopes will pan out. He&rsquo;s already delivering production and responsibility at a level far beyond what most young forwards in the league are asked to handle.
One of the biggest testaments to Johnson&rsquo;s versatility is how seamless he looks in every part of the pick-and-roll action. He can be the handler, leveraging his size to see over defenses and make advanced reads. He can be the roller, catching in the short pocket and turning it into downhill pressure.
It&rsquo;s rare to find a forward who can fluidly shift roles based on personnel and matchups &ndash; rarer still for that forward to be 22 years old and just scratching the surface.
When Atlanta&rsquo;s spacing tightens, Johnson becomes the playmaking valve. When possessions stall, he becomes the initiator. When the Hawks need someone to create something out of nothing, they turn to him. And lately, he has delivered to mark one of the best, if not the best, stretches of his young NBA career.
Without Trae Young, the Hawks&rsquo; offense could have cratered. But Johnson&rsquo;s play has provided a structure, a rhythm, and an identity they desperately needed. His triple-doubles were reflections of a player filling every gap the team had, while lifting them toward competitive relevance.
His versatility has allowed the Hawks to maintain pace in the East during a stretch where many expected them to slide. He&rsquo;s become the heartbeat of the team: energetic, unselfish, relentless, and increasingly reliable.
This leap by Johnson is one built on improved skill, stronger decision-making, and a growing belief from the organization that he&rsquo;s ready for more.
Atlanta entered the season with questions about its long-term direction. But amid the uncertainty, Johnson has emerged as one of the clearest answers. His development brings stability, his playmaking brings structure, and more importantly, his confidence brings hope.
He&rsquo;s the Hawks&rsquo; future, and right now, he&rsquo;s also their present.
The NBA is often defined by players who make &ldquo;the leap,&rdquo; but those leaps don&rsquo;t always look the same. Johnson&rsquo;s leap isn&rsquo;t defined by scoring explosions or spotlight moments &ndash; it&rsquo;s currently defined by completeness. The ability to do everything, affect everything, and help the Hawks survive one of their toughest stretches of the season.

Jalen Johnson is powering the Atlanta Hawks through Trae Young’s absence with back-to-back triple-doubles and a breakout season.

Jalen Johnson’s star breakout season is keeping Atlanta alive in the East

The field is set for the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas after the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs punched their tickets with decisive quarterfinal wins on Wednesday.
In a dominant showing, the defending champion Thunder overwhelmed the Phoenix Suns 138-89 in their knockout matchup &ndash; marking Oklahoma City&rsquo;s 16th straight win this season and extending their historic 24-1 start. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 28 points and eight assists, while Chet Holmgren added 24 points and eight boards, sending the Thunder to Vegas with momentum.
The Spurs also booked their spot in Las Vegas with a strong 132-119 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Rookie Stephon Castle exploded for a season-high 30 points along with 10 rebounds and six assists, pacing San Antonio&rsquo;s balanced attack. De&rsquo;Aaron Fox (20 points) and Keldon Johnson (17) contributed key scoring as the Spurs rode their speed and depth past a Lakers squad that couldn&rsquo;t sustain momentum.
The semifinal pairings will take place at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday (Dec. 13):
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs </li>
</ul>

The field is set for the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas, with the Thunder and the Spurs completing the cast.

Emirates NBA Cup 2025: Thunder, Spurs complete semifinals cast in Las Vegas

The Oklahoma City Thunder have etched their names into NBA history once again. With a dominant 138-89 win over the Phoenix Suns in the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals, the defending champs improved to 24-1 through 25 games, matching the best 25-game start in NBA history &ndash; a mark set by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors.
That Warriors team famously began 24-0 before losing its first game, ultimately winning 29 of its first 30 and finishing with a then-record 73-9 season. The Thunder&rsquo;s 24-1 start now sits alongside that standard as the most dominant through the first quarter of a season.
With 57 games left in the regular season, OKC still has a shot not only to eclipse this Warriors benchmark outright but also to chase a record number of wins when viewed across the full 82-game schedule.

OKC improved to 24-1 through 25 games, matching the best 25-game start in NBA history by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors.

Thunder tie 2016 Warriors for best 25-game start in NBA history

The Eastern Conference semifinals field for the 2025-26 Emirates NBA Cup is set &ndash; and it&rsquo;s the Magic and Knicks who punched their tickets to Las Vegas.
The Magic overcame the Miami Heat 117-108 in the first quarterfinal pairing. Guard Desmond Bane dropped 37 points, including six 3-pointers and 15 in the fourth quarter, to lead Orlando&rsquo;s comeback win. Key contributions came from Jalen Suggs (20 points) and Paolo Banchero (18 points) despite missing forward Franz Wagner, who was sidelined with an ankle sprain. The Magic pulled off the win without their other star, advancing to the Cup semifinals for the first time in franchise history.
On the road in Toronto, the Knicks handled the Raptors 117-101. Star guard Jalen Brunson exploded for 35 points, with 20 coming in a red-hot first quarter, while Josh Hart chipped in 21 points and Karl‑Anthony Towns added 14 points and 16 rebounds. New York turned a tight first quarter into a dominant second-quarter surge that carried them the rest of the way.
The Magic&rsquo;s run &ndash; without their leading scorer &ndash; showed depth and resilience for the team as Bane&rsquo;s performance earned him new attention as a clutch scorer, while Orlando&rsquo;s defense and bench play held up under pressure.
Meanwhile, the Knicks reaffirm their status as serious Cup contenders. With Brunson leading the way and strong two-way support around him, New York looks well-positioned for what could be a deep Cup run.&nbsp;
The Emirates NBA Cup continues to deliver high stakes and meaningful games early in the season. With the winner&rsquo;s bracket set, the road to the title now shifts to Las Vegas, where pressure, spotlight and prize money await.

The East semifinals field for the 2025-26 Emirates NBA Cup is set – and it’s the Magic and Knicks who will advance to Las Vegas.

Emirates NBA Cup 2025: Magic, Knicks advance to Las Vegas

After becoming a champion in Denver, Michael Porter Jr. moves on to Brooklyn for career growth &ndash; and the Nets are letting him become who he was projected to be coming out of high school: a full-fledged star in the NBA
Michael Porter Jr. has never lacked talent. That was never the question &ndash; not in high school, not in college, not at the NBA level. The questions, instead, hovered around everything else: the injuries, the fit, the role, the contract, the playstyle, and the frustrating nights where the ball barely moved. Fair or not, the narrative around Porter Jr. has followed him for years.
But in Brooklyn, something is changing.
Porter Jr. has erupted for three straight 30-point games, playing perhaps his best basketball over the past three games and becoming the first player in Nets franchise history to record 30+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ threes in three consecutive outings. In a season that has felt like another learning experience and a transitioning year for the franchise, he has emerged as one of the bright spots in a tough season record-wise: a reminder of the player many once believed he would become.
It&rsquo;s easy to forget now, but before back surgeries derailed his trajectory, Porter Jr. was the top prospect in the 2018 class &ndash; ranked above Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, and even Luka Doncic on several boards. He was the long, fluid, three-level scorer every team coveted. He was billed as a franchise centerpiece, not a complementary piece.
That version of MPJ rarely had space to breathe in Denver. Playing alongside Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon meant living as a third or fourth option, functioning more as a floor spacer than a fully realized scorer. His job was to hit shots, run the floor, defend, rebound &ndash; not to dominate possessions or shape the offense.
The Nuggets needed role players around Jokic. And true enough, Denver traded Porter Jr. to Brooklyn this offseason in exchange for Cam Johnson. The move was framed more as a financial relief and role concerns. Porter Jr.'s contract was massive, and his perceived fit issues &ndash; amplified by statements around the league and online about him being &ldquo;Michael never swinging the rock Porter Jr.&rdquo; &ndash; made it somewhat with sense and drawn from something.
This was a change of scenery for Porter Jr., and a chance to show that he is skillful enough to be a first option in this league. The Nets saw something different in him: a big wing scorer just entering his prime age years, fully capable of putting pressure on defenses in ways few players his size can.
Now that they&rsquo;ve given him the keys, Porter Jr. is showing why it was worth the bet.
His scoring bursts aren&rsquo;t coming from chaotic, ball-stopping sequences. Instead, they&rsquo;re flowing inside a structure tailored to his strengths &ndash; quick-hitting pindowns, ghost screens, high flares, and mid-post touches where his high release point becomes unguardable. He looks confident. He looks free. He looks like someone playing without the weight of expectation for the first time in years.
A major piece of this resurgence is Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, whose steady grip within the organization amid all the losing has turned into one of Brooklyn&rsquo;s most important stories.
Porter Jr. called Fernandez a &ldquo;genius,&rdquo; indicating the head coach for putting him in a position to succeed as a scorer, and not just a catch and shooter. The tape supports it: Fernandez has built an offensive ecosystem that bends toward Porter Jr.&rsquo;s natural tendencies instead of demanding he mold himself into something else.
Brooklyn is putting him in spots Denver seldom did: early-clock actions where he gets a head start, mismatches in the mid-post, and movement threes that let him catch without thinking. For the first time in a long time, Porter Jr. isn&rsquo;t being told to adapt &ndash; and he has Fernandez to thank for that.
Perhaps there is a deeper significance to all of this. Porter Jr. has spent years hearing the critiques: doesn&rsquo;t pass enough, doesn&rsquo;t defend consistently enough, benefits too much from Jokić&rsquo;s brilliance, can&rsquo;t lead a team in scoring, can&rsquo;t justify the huge contract given to him.
This current stretch won&rsquo;t silence every doubter &ndash; and it shouldn&rsquo;t be expected to. But it does something just as important: it proves that when the opportunity is there, he can be a first option. He can generate efficient offense, and he can carry the load. He&rsquo;s no longer just the guy who fits around stars. He&rsquo;s capable of being the star.
And with Brooklyn in search of identity, direction, and hope, Porter Jr. has unexpectedly become a key asset for the franchise &ndash; a player proving he can be the version of himself the basketball world once saw early in his career.

The Nets are letting Michael Porter Jr. become who he was projected to be coming out of high school: a full-fledged star in the NBA.

Michael Porter Jr. discovers star path with Nets in a career resurgence

James Harden adds another piece of history in his ever-growing list of accolades, surpassing Carmelo Anthony for the 10th spot in the NBA&rsquo;s all-time scoring list on Saturday night, December 7th.
The man they call &lsquo;the Beard&rsquo; achieved the feat with two made free throws in their game vs the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Los Angeles Clippers guard now has 28,290 points and counting.
The 37-year-old Harden becomes only the third guard in the top-10 list, joining Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.
Just recently, former teammate Kevin Durant became the 8th player in NBA history to score 31,000 points. If Harden continues his scoring chops this season, he can continue to climb up the scoring ranks in the NBA&rsquo;s all-time scoring history.
Next up for Harden to surpass is Shaquille O'Neal with 28,596 points at the 9th spot.

James Harden surpasses Carmelo Anthony for the 10th spot in the NBA’s all-time scoring list on Saturday night, December 7th.

James Harden cracks top-10 all-time scorers, surpassing Carmelo Anthony

Kevin Durant became the 8th player in NBA history to score 31,000 points or more on Friday, making history in doing so.
The 37-year-old Rockets superstar tied his close friend and close rival LeBron James for the 3rd-fastest ever in NBA history to achieve the feat with 1,141 games played. Only Wilt Chamberlain (1,015 games) and Michael Jordan (1,011 games) achieved it faster.
Durant made the historic accomplishment with a right-wing jumper in the first-quarter of their game vs the Phoenix Suns.
Durant currently sits at 8th in the NBA&rsquo;s all-time scoring list, with Wilt Chamberlain (31,419 points) and Dirk Nowitzki (31,560 points) next in line for Durant to surpass.

Kevin Durant became the 8th player in NBA history to score 31,000 points or more on Friday, making history in doing so.

Kevin Durant ties LeBron James for 3rd-fastest ever to score 31,000 points

LeBron James&rsquo; remarkable streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games scoring at least 10 points &ndash; the longest in NBA history &ndash; officially came to an end, marking the close of one of the most unbreakable statistical runs the league has ever seen.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar finished with just 8 points in a win over the Toronto Raptors, snapping a streak that had been active since January 2007 and spanned nearly two decades. Despite the milestone ending, LeBron delivered in other ways, tallying 11 assists and making the final pass that set up the game-winning three at the buzzer.
After the game, LeBron downplayed the significance of the streak ending, saying the only thing that mattered was the Lakers escaping with a victory.
LeBron&rsquo;s streak had long been considered one of the NBA&rsquo;s most unassailable feats. No other player in league history has come remotely close, as the previous record was 866 games. LeBron extended the mark by more than 400 games, and the streak survived injuries, team changes, off-court adversity, and era-to-era shifts in how NBA basketball is played.
Throughout that span, LeBron entered every game as one of the league&rsquo;s most durable and consistent performers &ndash; a superstar who could be counted on to produce night after night.
The final sequence that ended the streak almost served as its epilogue.
Rather than take a shot late to preserve a personal record, LeBron made the extra pass, finding Rui Hachimura in the corner for the go-ahead three. It was a fitting reflection of the way LeBron has always approached the game &ndash; with an emphasis on making the right basketball play, as he does over the course of his entire career.
It also highlighted his evolving role in his 23rd season, where scoring isn&rsquo;t his sole responsibility. With Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic stepping up offensively, LeBron has increasingly leaned into playmaking, leadership, and game management to guide the Lakers.

LeBron James’ remarkable streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games scoring at least 10 points officially comes to an end.

LeBron’s all-time double-digit scoring streak ends at 1,297 games

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly mulling his future with the franchise, according to ESPN&rsquo;s Shams Charania.
The 31-year-old two-time NBA MVP and his representatives have begun a formal evaluation of his status with the franchise, with discussions ranging from potential roster improvements to the possibility of a future trade. These conversations come at a time when the Bucks have underperformed early in the season, adding heightened scrutiny to the organization&rsquo;s direction.&nbsp;
Giannis is currently averaging 30+ points on 60% FG or better in a third straight NBA season. No other NBA player has done it in history.
Antetokounmpo has maintained a consistent public message for years &ndash; he wants to be in an environment fully committed to competing for championships. While Milwaukee has remained a strong team on paper, recent struggles and an aging supporting cast have created renewed questions about whether the Bucks can meet that standard.
Giannis has reportedly not closed the door on either possibility: remaining in Milwaukee or seeking a new opportunity elsewhere.
The Bucks now face one of the most delicate situations in franchise history. With Antetokounmpo&rsquo;s contract status giving the organization limited time to act, Milwaukee must determine whether it can upgrade the roster sufficiently to match his title aspirations.
Should talks shift toward exploring a potential move, rival franchises across the league would immediately position themselves to pursue a generational star still in his prime. Internal confidence in keeping Giannis remains, but the urgency is unmistakable.
Milwaukee&rsquo;s front office is expected to continue discussions with Giannis and his camp in the coming weeks as both sides work toward clarity on the franchise&rsquo;s path forward.
The Bucks will likely face several critical checkpoints before the trade deadline, with their on-court performance and roster decisions playing significant roles in shaping Giannis&rsquo; outlook.
For now, the future of one of the league&rsquo;s top players remains fluid &mdash; and Milwaukee&rsquo;s next moves could determine whether the partnership continues or heads toward a dramatic turning point.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly mulling his future with the franchise, reports say.

Giannis Antetokounmpo mulling over future with Bucks

In one of the most bizarre moves in the league ever, the Los Angeles Clippers have announced they will be &lsquo;sending home&rsquo; former star guard and now veteran Chris Paul.
In a news first broken by NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Clippers are reportedly releasing the 38-year-old point guard, whose prime years were spent and played with in the city of angels.
The Clippers front office led by president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank issued a statement shortly after the surprising move, saying, the franchise is parting ways with Paul and is willing to &ldquo;work with him on the next step of his career.&rdquo; The statement praised Paul&rsquo;s impact, calling him &ldquo;a legendary Clipper,&rdquo; and emphasized that the decision was not a result of assigning blame for the team&rsquo;s poor start &ndash; rather, the front office accepted responsibility for the overall underperformance.
The Clippers entered this season with high hopes after re-signing Paul to a one-year, US$3.6 million deal, returning to the franchise where he starred from 2011&ndash;2017. Paul previously announced he&rsquo;s retiring at the end of the season, marking this season as his last in the league.
As of the release, LA sits at a 5&ndash;16 record, a disappointing record that ranks among the worst in the Western Conference &ndash; and far off the expectations set for a veteran-heavy club. Paul&rsquo;s own bench production this season was modest &ndash; but stats show him averaging career-low numbers in limited minutes backing up starting guard James Harden.
Sources say the decision came in the middle of a road trip, with Paul learning about his release late in the night before a scheduled game. In a now-viral social media post, Paul wrote simply, &ldquo;Just found out I&rsquo;m being sent home,&rdquo; accompanied by a peace emoji.&nbsp;
ANALYSIS: For Paul &ndash; a 12-time All-Star, one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, and a central figure in the Clippers&rsquo; &ldquo;Lob City&rdquo; era &ndash; the release ends a reunion that many hoped would serve as a farewell tour.&nbsp;
Despite sitting on the fringes of the rotation this season, Paul remains one of the NBA&rsquo;s all-time leaders in assists and steals, and his resume includes remarkable longevity and consistency.
From the Clippers&rsquo; perspective, the move appears driven by a desire to shake up a struggling roster and reset direction &ndash; a sign the front office believes the veteran-heavy mix no longer fits their timeline or strategy. Frank&rsquo;s statement explicitly noted the franchise&rsquo;s underperformance, not the player, as the impetus. This likely signals the Clippers signing a younger player to help the team, especially in the athleticism department. The Clippers might also shake it up and make some additional moves, including possibly trading away some players on the roster to try and get better.
Paul&rsquo;s next steps &ndash; whether another team picks him up, he searches for a trade, or he heads toward retirement &ndash; are uncertain. Given his age (40) and status, this could well mark the end of his storied NBA tenure.
The Clippers must now adjust their guard rotation and re-evaluate their direction, possibly leaning more on younger players or exploring trades as they navigate a disappointing start.
The optics and fan reaction are likely to be heated &ndash; releasing a beloved franchise icon mid-season is rare and has generated significant criticism among fans and analysts.
This turn of events might go down as one of the most bizarre and talked-about roster shifts of the season. What looked like a leadership move &ndash; a returned legend finishing his career in L.A. &ndash; ended instead with a stark severance.

In one of the most bizarre moves in the league ever, the Clippers have announced they will be ‘sending home’ team icon Chris Paul.

Clippers release franchise legend Chris Paul in shocking early-season move

The field is locked. After five weeks of competitive group play across both conferences, the NBA has finalized the 2025-26 Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal bracket, with eight teams advancing to the knockout stage beginning December 9 and 10.
<h3>Thunder, Lakers, Spurs, Suns advance out West</h3>
Defending NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder headline the Western Conference after sweeping Group A and opening Cup play with the same dominance they&rsquo;ve shown all season. They are joined by the Los Angeles Lakers, who also topped their group, and the San Antonio Spurs, who punched their ticket on the final night thanks to a dramatic comeback win over the Denver Nuggets.
The Phoenix Suns claimed the West&rsquo;s wild-card spot, edging out several contenders through point differential and closing the group phase with momentum.
<h3>Magic, Raptors, Knicks, Heart complete East bracket</h3>
In the East, the Orlando Magic clinched Group B behind strong two-way play, the Toronto Raptors taking Group A, while the New York Knicks took Group C after stringing together consistent defensive performances. The Miami Heat emerged as the wild-card qualifier, setting up the slate for the East that features familiar playoff-style matchups.
<h3>Quarterfinal Matchups (Dec. 9&ndash;10)</h3>
December 9 &ndash; Eastern Conference
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Miami Heat at Orlando Magic</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors</li>
</ul>
December 10 &ndash; Western Conference
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers</li>
</ul>
<h3>A pathway through Las Vegas</h3>
As with last season, the Emirates NBA Cup knockout games carry regular-season implications, with the exception of the championship game. Winners of next week&rsquo;s quarterfinals will advance to Las Vegas for the semifinals on December 13, with the Cup final scheduled for December 16 at T-Mobile Arena.
<h3>Storylines to watch</h3>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The champs look locked in: The Thunder continue to play like a team eyeing back-to-back banners, maintaining one of the best records in the league through Cup play.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The Spurs&rsquo; late surge: San Antonio&rsquo;s dramatic final-night win over Denver showcased their improvement and composure &ndash; and set up a compelling showdown with the Lakers. It remains to be seen if star Victor Wembanyama will be available to suit up for this big matchup.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Wild-card intrigue: The Suns in particular pose a threat, especially after stabilizing their play late in the group stage.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The East is wide open: With Orlando emerging as one of the NBA&rsquo;s strongest defensive teams and the Knicks riding momentum, the Heat and Raptors will look to steal a path to Las Vegas.</li>
</ul>
The quarterfinals now bring single-elimination stakes, star-powered matchups, and an early-season playoff feel &ndash; with one team just three wins away from lifting this year&rsquo;s NBA Cup.

After five weeks of competitive group play across both conferences, the 2025-26 Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal bracket has been set.

2025-26 Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals officially set

Mon Anthony Valmoria is the lead NBA writer for BasketballNews.com.&nbsp;