The Raptors’ path through the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup group stage looks manageable on paper, but there’s one massive wrinkle hanging over everything.
Toronto landed in East Group A with the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets. Compared with East Group B - the one loaded up with the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers - that’s a much friendlier draw. East Group C, with the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, also looks lighter than the group Toronto avoided.
That’s why it’s fair to think the Raptors can get back to the Knockout Stage and maybe push a little further this time. Last season, Toronto rolled through group play at 4-0 before the run ended in the quarterfinals against the eventual cup winner and later NBA champs, the New York Knicks.
This setup also feels familiar. When the 2025 Cup schedule came out, the Raptors were in Group A then too, alongside the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards.
It wasn’t a cake walk, but it also didn’t look like a nightmare bracket. The 2026 version carries the same basic feel, with Detroit and Orlando appearing to be the only teams in Toronto’s group that could really give them trouble.
Even there, both come with questions. Detroit is coming off last year as an East force, but the roster now looks unsettled with the uncertain Jalen Duren situation, the loss of Tobias Harris and the departure of Isaiah Stewart. Orlando, meanwhile, is still trying to establish itself as a true threat.
The real bear of the tournament is East Group B. That’s the one that jumps off the page as the most brutal collection of teams in the field, no matter how you slice it.
Out West, the groups look more evenly spread out. West Group A has the Nuggets, Rockets, Suns, Mavericks and Jazz.
West Group B features the Thunder, Timberwolves, Clippers, Pelicans and Grizzlies. West Group C includes the Spurs, last year’s runner-up, plus the Lakers, Trail Blazers, Warriors and Kings.
Each group has talent, but none carry the same bite as East Group B.
Toronto’s group stage starts Oct. 30 at home against the Magic. The Raptors then travel to face the Bucks on Nov. 6 and the Pistons on Nov. 20 before wrapping group play at home against the Nets on Nov. 27.
Still, the biggest question isn’t the schedule. It’s the Kawhi Leonard trade and the ongoing, high-profile investigation around it.
If the deal goes through and Kawhi is available for the full tournament, Toronto’s chances change dramatically. If it doesn’t, that could become a major obstacle to the Raptors’ NBA Cup hopes.
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