NBA Cup 2024: Top Storylines for Wednesday's Quarterfinals Bracket

The NBA Cup semifinals field will be completed on Wednesday night.

The Atlanta Hawks face off with the New York Knicks with a matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks as the reward.

Over in the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors visit the Houston Rockets. The winner takes on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Atlanta was the surprise group winner in the Eastern Conference after it knocked off the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Houston is off to an incredible start in the West, but it hasn't been able to solve Golden State with or without Stephen Curry in two head-to-head meetings this season.

Will Atlanta Pull off Another Upset?

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 08: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on December 8, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Atlanta was the most surprising group winner.

The Hawks beat the Celtics without Trae Young and handed the Cavaliers a rare loss.

Young and Co. are 6-1 in their last seven games, a run that includes two wins over Cleveland and a victory against Milwaukee.

The Hawks already have one win over the Knicks at home on November 6, and on Wednesday, they play in a building where Trae Young thrives.

Young famously went off for three 30-point performances inside Madison Square Garden during the 2021 postseason.

He had 23 points and 10 assists in the first meeting with the Knicks in Atlanta, and he is expected to raise his numbers even more in a knockout-round game.

The Hawks are more than just Young, though, as Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels are growing into their starting roles and De'Andre Hunter provided some solid scoring off the bench.

Atlanta can argue that it has a bit more depth the Knicks, but New York can counter with its starting five of All-Star-caliber players.

Will Golden State's Experience Be the X-Factor Against Houston?

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 8: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE via Getty Images)

Stephen Curry and the Warriors have the most championship DNA of any team still alive in the NBA Cup field.

Of course, this is December and it's a one-off game and not a seven-game series in the spring, but there's still something meaningful on the line.

Curry and Co. can't be counted out of any contest of this caliber, even if Houston is playing the better overall basketball.

Golden State is already 2-0 against Houston this season. In its last win, Golden State held Houston to 93 points on December 5.

Jonathan Kuminga scored 33 points in that victory. Kuminga is the key to the Warriors' success on Wednesday and beyond this season.

He was slotted into the starting lineup over Draymond Green and needs to be the No. 2 scorer behind Curry.

As for Houston, it needs Jalen Green to get going against the Warriors. He has 21 points in two games versus Golden State. He has to be the complement to Alperen Şengün in order for Houston to knock out the Warriors and set up a showdown with OKC.