The Brooklyn Nets will take advantage of every opportunity they have to compete during the 2024-25 season. The 2024 NBA Cup presents the perfect chance for the Nets to play for higher stakes and show what they can do against other talented teams in the Eastern and, hopefully, Western Conference.
The NBA started an annual mid-season tournament in 2023, named the NBA In-Season Tournament. Teams in each respective conference were sectioned into groups and played a set of games to accumulate rankings based on points scored, point differentials, and opponent points. These factors largely determined which team in their group would clinch a spot to advance to the next round and eventually the cross-conference championship.
2024's iteration, the NBA Cup, looks to follow a similar format, and the Nets will be right in the mix with an exciting schedule of matchups.
Brooklyn Nets' 2024 NBA Cup schedule
The NBA released its full Cup schedule for all 30 teams on Tuesday. Here are who the Nets will face in November in the Eastern Conferences' Group A:
Date | Date | Opponent | Local | ET |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fri. | 11/15 | New York Knicks | 7:30 PM | 7:30 PM |
Tues. | 11/19 | Charlotte Hornets | 7:30 PM | 7:30 PM |
Fri. | 11/22 | Philadelphia 76ers | 7:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
Fri. | 11/29 | Orlando Magic | 7:30 PM | 7:30 PM |
Perhaps the most notable game on the list is Brooklyn's Cup debut against the Knicks on Nov. 15. The Nets will go against a former starter in Mikal Bridges, who migrated to Manhattan in a blockbuster trade with the Knicks in June of 2024. In addition, Brooklyn will need to bring its best game against three other stout interconference opponents.
How did the Nets fare in the 2023 NBA Cup?
Brooklyn faced a similar balance of competition in 2023's midseason competition. The Nets found themselves in the East's Group C, which also consisted of the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, and Orlando Magic. Brooklyn went 3-1, accumulated 455 total points, a point differential of plus-20, and gave up 435 opponent points.
On paper, the Nets had a solid performance. However, the squad was eliminated from Knockout Contention (single elimination games to advance to the championship) since the Celtics performed the best in the ranking factors. Boston claimed the top spot in the group and lost to the Indiana Pacers in the East Quarterfinals.
The winner of the 2024 NBA Cup will receive a trophy and a prize pool that will be allocated to players on teams that qualify for Knockout Rounds. The allocations will be based on how far a team advances in the competition.
Will the Nets avenge their 2023 showing and make a deep mid-season run?