NBA Cup Finds Its Groove - Even the Sixers Are Buying In
CAMDEN, N.J. - The third edition of the NBA’s in-season tournament is officially in the books, and the New York Knicks are walking away with the Cup - and a nice chunk of prize money - after knocking off the San Antonio Spurs in Las Vegas. Jalen Brunson took home MVP honors, leading the charge for a Knicks team that’s clearly bought into the tournament’s growing relevance.
And while the Philadelphia 76ers haven’t made a deep run in the NBA Cup just yet, there’s no denying the tournament is starting to find its place in the league’s rhythm. Fans are tuning in.
Players are competing. And even in Philly - where expectations are focused more on June than December - the energy around the Cup is being felt.
Tyrese Maxey: “I love it.”
That was Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey’s quick and enthusiastic take when asked about the NBA Cup. And it wasn’t just lip service.
“I think it’s amazing,” Maxey said. “Guys are playing extremely hard.
I think the fans like it. The prize money is pretty cool - especially for guys on different contracts.
That’s really cool.”
Maxey did have one minor gripe, though - the basketball itself.
“I don’t love the basketball,” he admitted with a shrug. “Just a little different. But it’s OK.”
That’s the kind of honest, lighthearted feedback you want to hear from a player who’s locked in on the bigger picture but still appreciates the added juice the tournament brings to the early-season grind.
Nick Nurse: “Well done so far.”
Head coach Nick Nurse, never one to hold back his thoughts, had his own take on the Cup - and yes, he’s still not a fan of those vibrant alternate courts.
“I just don’t like the courts,” Nurse said with a laugh. “I’m staying with that one.”
But beyond the aesthetics, Nurse acknowledged what most around the league are starting to realize: the NBA Cup is working.
“I think it’s added some great early-season attention, interest, passion - whatever you want to call it,” he said. “I was locked in on when those games were, looking forward to seeing them.
The semifinals and finals were great. It was awesome to watch all those games.”
A Tournament That’s Finding Its Place
Let’s be real - the NBA Cup was always going to be a work in progress. Integrating a midseason tournament into a league that already has an 82-game grind and a postseason that defines legacies?
Not easy. But three years in, we’re starting to see it click.
Players are competing like something’s on the line - because it is. The added financial incentive is meaningful, especially for guys on non-max deals. And for fans, it’s a reason to care about early-season matchups in a way that feels fresh.
For a league that’s constantly looking to innovate and stay relevant during football season, the Cup is doing its job. It’s giving the NBA a spotlight moment in December - something that’s historically been tough to come by.
What’s Next for the Sixers?
The Sixers may not have cracked the code in Cup play just yet, but they’re not far off. With Maxey continuing to blossom and Joel Embiid anchoring the roster, Philly’s focus remains on the long haul. But don’t be surprised if next year, they make a serious push in the tournament.
For now, they’ll turn their attention to the reigning Cup champs - the Knicks - with a road matchup coming up Friday. And while it’s back to business as usual in the regular season, the echoes of the Cup are still lingering.
Because whether it’s the prize money, the bragging rights, or just the chance to play on a national stage, the NBA Cup is starting to matter. And that’s a win for everyone.