The Emirates NBA Cup will have its third iteration next season. While players were initially skeptical, we saw that the Cup brought some much-needed drama and intensity at the beginning of the season last year. This time around, the NBA Cup West Group B will get plenty of drama, and it will be a must-watch for NBA fans. Let’s break it down.
NBA Cup West Group B: Plot Twists and Power Plays
For the 2025-26 season, the NBA Cup will begin on October 31st and continue through November 28th. Each team will play four Group play games designed as Cup Nights. Teams will have one game against each opponent in their group, with two games at home and two on the road. After the draw, West Group B looks like the must-watch group. To be fair, any group with LeBron James is a must-watch. But, there will be plenty of intriguing questions.
Can Cooper Flagg Compete in High-Intensity Games?
The Dallas Mavericks will face the Lakers. And while these two teams have some history after the Luka Doncic – Anthony Davis trade, Cooper Flagg might get the headlines. The No.1 overall pick will play in some high-intensity games early on. The Cup is on a different level compared to regular season games. Both teams will want to prove they are better after the trade, making this a must-watch game for fans.
Who Will Win the Battle of LA?
Ever since Kawhi Leonard joined the Los Angeles Clippers and LeBron the Lakers, the battle of Los Angeles has gained momentum. James won a title, and Kawhi has yet to make the Finals with the Clippers. LeBron also won the NBA Cup. On paper, the Clippers look like the better team. They also convinced Brook Lopez to join them instead of the Lakers during the first days of free agency. With only one team guaranteed to advance from each group, it makes the battle for LA that much more fun. We have yet to see these two teams compete in a playoff atmosphere, but the Cup can bring plenty of pressure.
Can the Memphis Grizzlies Rebound?
The Grizzlies might be an underdog in this group. But we have to remember that at one point last season, they were tied for the second seed in the Western Conference. After a huge offseason, the Grizzlies will look to show they are back on track. The NBA Cup will offer an early chance to prove they are legit. But for that, the Grizzlies will have to beat both LA teams and Dallas. Only one team is guaranteed to advance per Cup rules.
Will the New Orleans Pelicans Look for a New Coach?
The Pelicans are set for a disastrous season from the start. They might have the most messed-up team in the entire league. Instead of bringing stability and clear direction, new general manager Joe Dumars complicated things even further. It will not be a surprise if head coach Willie Green is out by Christmas.
The Pelicans moved 10 spots up in the 2025 draft to get Derik Queen, signed Kevon Looney to a contract, and traded for Jordan Poole while sending CJ McCollum away. In between, they traded one of the most valuable assets they had, the rights to a 2026 Milwaukee Bucks first-round pick. They are now stuck in no man’s land. They have three $30 million-plus players on their roster in Zion Williamson, Poole, and Dejounte Murray. That signals a team trying to win now, but it is hard to see them competing in the crowded Western Conference. If they have another weak start like last season, coach Green might be the scapegoat.
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