NBA Cup 2026 Standings, Bracket Predictions After November 6 Group Play

The Cleveland Cavaliers produced the most impressive win on the second Friday of play in the 2026 NBA Cup.

The Cavs handed the Philadelphia 76ers their second loss of the regular season, and in the process, opened up an edge in the point differential tiebreaker in East Group B.

Donovan Mitchell and Co. still have a few tough games left in East Group B, but Friday provided them with a nice start.

Over in the Western Conference, Luka Doncic's 53-point game against the Portland Trail Blazers allowed the Los Angeles Lakers to remain in contention for the Group C crown.

The Lakers need to be perfect and get a bit of help during the rest of the group stage to win Group C.

West Group B also has the potential to be fun until the final group-stage minute because of how well the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder are playing. Both teams picked up victories on Friday night.

Eastern Conference

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Group A

1. Detroit (1-0; +16 point differential)
2. Orlando (1-0; +7)
3. Toronto (1-1; +7)
4. Milwaukee (0-1; -14)
5. Chicago (0-1; -16)

Group B

1. Cleveland (1-0; +24)
2. Miami (1-0; +20)
3. Philadelphia (1-1; -19)
4. New York (0-1; -5)
5. Indiana (0-1; -20)

Group C

1. Boston (2-0; +53)
2. Atlanta (1-0; +7)
3. Washington (1-1; +9)
4. Chicago (0-1; -14)
5. Charlotte (0-2; -55)

Cleveland picked up Friday's biggest win in the Eastern Conference.

The Cavs beat the 76ers by 24 points to take over the lead in East Group B and put the Sixers in a tough spot with their point differential.

Cleveland's only game into its NBA Cup schedule, so plenty can change in Group B, but Friday provided a good launching point for Donovan Mitchell and Co. in the competition.

All five teams in Group B have a chance to win the group, but Cleveland and Miami are the only ones that can take first place by winning out and receiving no help.

The Sixers need to beat the Heat and Pacers by decent-sized margins to make up for the severity of Friday's loss.

You could argue the Knicks are in the best shape because they play the Cavs and Heat at home to finish out group play at the end of the month.

Boston is the clear front-runner in Group C with its 2-0 record and massive positive point differential.

Group A seems like it is down to Orlando, Toronto and Detroit. The Raptors pulled themselves back into contention with a double-digit win over the Bucks, but they're in a tough spot because their NBA Cup loss is to the Magic.

Detroit is playing the best early basketball of the three Group A contenders, and that's all without Jalen Duren on the floor.

Predictions:

Group A winner - Detroit

Group B winner - New York

Group C winner - Boston

Best Second-Place Team - Cleveland

Western Conference

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Group A

1. Dallas (2-0; +17)
2. Denver (1-0; +7)
3. Houston (0-1; -5)
4. Phoenix (0-1; -7)
5. Utah (0-1; -12)

Group B

1. Minnesota (2-0; +32)
2. Oklahoma City (1-0; +31)
3. New Orleans (0-1; -6)
4. LA Clippers (0-1; -26)
5. Memphis (0-1; -31)

Group C

1. Golden State (1-0; +17)
2. San Antonio (1-0; +15)
3. Los Angeles Lakers (1-1; -11)
4. Portland (0-1; -6)
5. Sacramento (0-1; -15)

Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers rebounded from last week's loss to Golden State with a win over Damian Lillard and Portland on Friday.

Doncic's 53-point performance pulled the Lakers back into contention in a tough group headlined by Golden State and San Antonio.

The Lakers must beat the Spurs to have any chance of getting into the knockout round, either as the Group C winner or the best second-place team.

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs get Steph Curry and the Warriors at home next Friday in a game that will determine the Group C front-runner. The Spurs hold the edge because of the home court.

Oklahoma City could benefit from playing Minnesota at home in what is now Group B's biggest game.

The Thunder are only one point back on point differential of the Wolves with an extra game in hand. It feels like Group B is theirs to lose.

Denver likely has the edge in Group A for a similar reason as OKC in Group B. The Nuggets get Dallas at home in what will likely be the game that decides Group A.

Minnesota's point differential looks great right now. The early buildup of high-margin wins could allow the Wolves to advance as the best second-place team if they keep it competitive with OKC.

Predictions

Group A winner - Denver

Group B winner- Oklahoma City

Group C winner - San Antonio

Best Second-Place Team - Minnesota