You’re looking for the NBA Cup games today, but there’s a catch. If you open up your league pass or check the local TV listings for January 14, 2026, you won’t see those brightly colored, slightly controversial tournament courts. You won’t see teams fighting for a trophy in the middle of winter.
Why? Because the party is already over.
The 2025 NBA Cup—the third iteration of this in-season experiment—actually wrapped up back in December. While the regular season is currently in the thick of a grueling January stretch, the "Cup" portion of the calendar is a memory. If you missed it, the New York Knicks are the ones walking around with the bragging rights (and the hardware) after taking down the San Antonio Spurs in the championship game.
The Confusion Around NBA Cup Games Today
It’s totally fair to be confused. The NBA has rebranded this thing so many times—first the In-Season Tournament, then the Emirates NBA Cup—that keeping the dates straight feels like a part-time job.
Most people assume "In-Season" means it runs the whole season. It doesn't. The tournament is a sprint, not a marathon. It traditionally kicks off in late October and crowns a winner before the Christmas ornaments are even dusty.
🔗 Read more: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
Today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, we have a full slate of seven games, but they are "just" regular-season matchups. Here is what is actually happening on the hardwood tonight:
- Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers (7:00 p.m. ET): This is the heavy hitter of the night. Joel Embiid is expected to be on the floor, which is always the big question mark in Philly.
- Toronto Raptors at Indiana Pacers (7:00 p.m. ET): A battle for Eastern Conference positioning.
- Utah Jazz at Chicago Bulls (8:00 p.m. ET): Both teams are trying to find an identity in a crowded mid-tier.
- Brooklyn Nets at New Orleans Pelicans (8:00 p.m. ET): Brooklyn is desperately trying to snap a four-game skid.
- Denver Nuggets at Dallas Mavericks (9:30 p.m. ET): Jokic vs. Luka. Enough said.
- New York Knicks at Sacramento Kings (10:00 p.m. ET): The reigning Cup champs are out West, though they’re looking a bit tired lately.
- LA Clippers at Washington Wizards: Keep an eye on the injury report for Kawhi Leonard here; he’s been questionable for rest.
What Happened to the 2025 NBA Cup?
The tournament we all just watched (or missed) was actually pretty wild. The Knicks didn't just win; they dominated. Jalen Brunson took home the MVP honors, proving that his game translates perfectly to the high-stakes, single-elimination format.
One of the biggest storylines was the San Antonio Spurs making it all the way to the final. Watching Victor Wembanyama in a "win or go home" setting gave us a glimpse of what the playoffs might look like in a couple of years. They fell short in Las Vegas, but the experience was huge for that young roster.
Key Dates You Might Have Missed:
- Group Play: Ran from October 31 to November 28.
- Quarterfinals: Played on December 9 and 10.
- The Finals: The New York Knicks hoisted the trophy on December 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
So, while there are no NBA Cup games today, the results of that tournament are still rippling through the standings. Those games counted toward the regular-season record (except for the final), so the Knicks’ hot start was fueled by their Cup run.
💡 You might also like: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
Why the Schedule is Changing for 2026-27
If you’re frustrated by the neutral-site vibe or the timing, the NBA actually listened. Sort of.
Starting next season (the 2026-27 campaign), the league is shifting the semifinals away from Las Vegas. Instead of dragging the final four teams to the desert, the higher-seeded teams will host the semifinals in their own arenas.
This is a massive win for fans. Imagine a Cup semifinal at a raucous Madison Square Garden or a packed TD Garden instead of a neutral Vegas crowd that sometimes forgets to cheer. The Championship game will stay in Vegas for that "Super Bowl" feel, but the road there is about to get a lot more atmospheric.
Betting and Fantasy Impact for Tonight
Since you can't bet on Cup specific props today, you have to look at the standard board. The Knicks are currently 10.5-point favorites over the Kings, largely because Sacramento is decimated by injuries. Domantas Sabonis is out with a knee issue, and Keegan Murray is sidelined with an ankle.
📖 Related: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
In Philly, the line is tight—Sixers by 1.5. This tells you the oddsmakers aren't sure which version of Cleveland is going to show up. Evan Mobley has been a beast, but Embiid has a history of "cooking" the Cavs’ frontline when he’s healthy.
Actionable Insights for NBA Fans
If you were hoping for the intensity of a Cup night, you can still find it by focusing on the right matchups.
- Watch Nuggets/Mavs: This is the closest you’ll get to playoff-level basketball tonight. Jokic and Dončić are both in the MVP conversation, and their head-to-head battles usually turn into chess matches.
- Check the Standings: Even though the Cup is over, we are approaching the halfway point of the season. Teams like the Nets and Pelicans are fighting to stay out of the basement.
- Look Ahead: The next big "event" on the calendar is the All-Star Game on February 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Basically, the NBA Cup games today don't exist, but the race for the Larry O'Brien trophy is very much alive. Take the night to appreciate the 82-game grind. It's where the real contenders separate themselves from the December flashes in the pan.
For those looking to track the 2026-27 Cup, mark your calendars for next October. That’s when the courts turn neon and the stakes get weird again. Until then, we’ve got a standard Wednesday night of hoops to get through.
Next Steps for Today’s Slate:
Check the final injury reports at 6:30 p.m. ET, specifically for the Clippers and Sixers. With Kawhi Leonard and Joel Embiid both being "game-time" decisions frequently this season, the spreads for the NBA Cup games today (or rather, the regular season games replacing them) will likely shift right before tip-off. If Embiid sits, Cleveland at +1.5 becomes the easiest value play of the week.