The second night of the 2026 NBA Cup brought the kind of chaos this tournament is built for.
Cleveland put a dent in LeBron James’s return to the city in his new 76ers uniform, rolling past Philadelphia 119-95 in East Group B. In Memphis, Oklahoma City’s Ajay Mitchell delivered the best night of his young run, going for a career-high 35 points on 14-of-20 shooting while adding five assists in 30 minutes. Then Luka Dončić closed the nine-game slate by hanging 53 on the Trail Blazers as the Lakers escaped with a 124-118 win.
With Friday’s games in the books, every one of the league’s 30 teams has now played at least once in Cup action. Three clubs are still spotless at 2-0: the Celtics, Timberwolves and Mavericks.
Most of the field still has a path into the eight-team knockout bracket, but the Hornets are already in a rough spot after dropping both of their games by a combined 55 points. Memphis, meanwhile, took a 31-point loss to a shorthanded Thunder team on Friday night, and that’s the kind of result that can linger in group play.
There are still five nights left before the knockout round starts, so nothing is locked in yet. But if the tournament ended Friday, the bracket would have a pretty clear shape.
Boston would sit at No. 1 in the East as the conference’s lone 2-0 team. The Celtics have already handled the Bulls and Hornets, and their +53 point differential gives them a strong cushion with the Wizards and Hawks still left on their schedule. Cleveland also helped its case with that 24-point win over Philadelphia, a useful result in a crowded East Group B that also includes the Heat, Knicks and Pacers.
Out West, Minnesota owns the top seed for now despite doing it without Anthony Edwards. The Timberwolves opened with a 127-101 win over the Clippers and followed it with a 115-109 victory over the Pelicans. Oklahoma City, though, made a loud push Friday with its blowout of Memphis, knocking off a Grizzlies team that had recently been the NBA’s last unbeaten squad.
The current projected 2026 NBA Cup bracket would include the six group winners and one wild card from each conference.
In Other News...
Celtics Injury Scare Faded Fast But One Bigger Concern Still Looms
Payton Pritchards brief scare in Wednesdays game turned out to be exactly that, a scare. The Celtics guard left after a right eye abrasion affected his vision, but he was back in the mix by Friday at Charlotte, easing immediate concern around a player who has become a steady part of Bostons rotation. Pritchard also dealt with a right shoulder contusion, and he spoke about the teams progress this season as the Celtics continue sorting out their early rhythm.
The larger question around Boston, though, still sits with Jayson Tatum and the long road back from his Achilles injury. Tatum has been managing occasional rest nights as he works through the recovery process, a reminder that the Celtics are still balancing short-term availability with the bigger picture of getting their star fully right. For a team trying to build momentum, Pritchards quick return helped, but the more important health storyline is still the one that will shape Bostons season for a while. [Read more 🡒]
Luka Garza Is Forcing A Celtics Rotation Decision
Luka Garza has quietly given the Celtics something they did not necessarily expect this early in the season: a reserve big who can stretch the floor and hold his own enough to stay on the court. In limited minutes, he has looked efficient as a scorer, knocked down threes at a strong clip and shown enough defensive improvement to make him more than just a situational option.
For a team always balancing depth, spacing and frontcourt fit, that kind of early production can force a real rotation conversation. Garza has done enough to make a case for a larger role, and the Celtics now have to decide whether what he has shown is a small-sample spark or the start of something they should lean into more often. [Read more 🡒]
Derrick White Just Gave The Celtics What They Need Most
Derrick White gave the Celtics a needed lift in the win over the Hornets, blending the kind of joy and aggression that has made him such an important part of Bostons rotation. He finished with 18 points, knocked down four 3-pointers, and added five assists, four rebounds and a steal while looking every bit like the steady two-way presence the Celtics lean on when the offense needs a jolt.
Whites value goes well beyond the box score, though his shot-making was especially welcome after an uneven start to the season from deep. Boston has long counted on him as both a playmaker and a defender, and nights like this are a reminder of why his game fits so cleanly alongside the teams bigger stars. [Read more 🡒]