Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Oklahoma City Thunder and Luka Doncic's Los Angeles Lakers both reached the knockout stage of the NBA Cup. (Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic, two early MVP favorites, are one step away from a starry showdown at the NBA Cup in Las Vegas next month.
The opening round of the NBA’s in-season tournament concluded Friday with Gilgeous-Alexander’s Oklahoma City Thunder, Doncic’s Los Angeles Lakers and six other teams advancing to the knockout stage.