The Sacramento Kings will go up against a very formidable foe when they open group play in the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup.
The Kings will compete in West Group A along with the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz.
The Kings will play host to the Thunder in their first group stage game Nov. 7 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. They will visit the Timberwolves on Nov. 14 and host the Suns on Nov. 26 before concluding group play against the Jazz on Nov. 28 in Salt Lake City.
Oklahoma City features a young and talented roster led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who won his first MVP award last season. The Thunder posted a 68-14 record during the regular season and went on to defeat the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals to win the championship.
All 30 teams will compete in one of six groups, three in the Eastern Conference and three in the Western Conference. Eight teams – the six group winners and one wildcard from each conference – will advance from the group stage to the knockout rounds.
The final four teams will go to Las Vegas to compete in the semifinals Dec. 13 with a chance to advance to the championship game Dec. 16.
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Pacers in the finals to win the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023-24. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Thunder in the finals to capture the cup last season.