22.11.2025
Cleveland Cavaliers 120 - 109 Indiana Pacers
In a competitive showdown, Donovan Mitchell's 32-point performance powered the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 120-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers in an NBA Cup game. This matchup marked the first time the two teams faced off since the Pacers ousted the top-seeded Cavaliers in last season's Eastern Conference semifinals. Darius Garland returned to the lineup after a five-game absence due to a toe injury and contributed 20 points, including three 3-pointers. Evan Mobley also had a strong showing with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Despite Andrew Nembhard's career-high 32 points for Indiana, the injury-stricken Pacers, now 0-2 in group play, have lost nine of their last 10 games. The Cavaliers took control with a decisive 21-9 run in the third quarter, and while the Pacers managed to cut the deficit to 10 in the final minutes, they couldn't come any closer. The loss leaves Indiana with a challenging start to the season, currently holding a 2-14 record.
Boston Celtics 105 - 113 Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets secured a 113-105 victory over the Boston Celtics, marking their first win in the NBA Cup in-season tournament. Nic Claxton achieved his first NBA triple-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. Michael Porter Jr. contributed significantly with 33 points while Noah Clowney added 19, helping to end Brooklyn's nine-game losing streak against Boston. Brooklyn improved its record to 3-12 overall and 1-2 in the tournament. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 26 points but was limited to 32 minutes due to foul trouble, which impacted Boston's performance. Even after coach Joe Mazzulla's unsuccessful challenge of Brown's fifth foul, the Celtics struggled without their leading scorer, allowing Brooklyn to build a substantial lead with a 17-4 run. Boston's Neemias Queta posted a commendable effort with 16 points and 12 rebounds, yet the Celtics fell to an 8-8 overall record and 1-2 in the tournament. The Nets will next visit Toronto, while the Celtics are set to host Orlando.
Toronto Raptors 140 - 110 Washington Wizards
The Toronto Raptors clinched the first spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals by defeating the Washington Wizards 140-110, securing first place in East Group A following Indiana's loss to Cleveland. Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett each scored 24 points, while Scottie Barnes contributed 23 in a dominant performance that extended Toronto's winning streak to six games and improved their record to 3-0 in NBA Cup play. Sandro Mamukelashvili's season-high 23 points and Jamal Shead's season-high 10 assists highlighted the Raptors' offense, which set a season-high in points and achieved a 30-point margin of victory, their largest so far, surpassing a previous 28-point win over Milwaukee. Despite Bilal Coulibaly's opening basket giving the Wizards an early lead, Toronto quickly responded with an 11-point run and maintained control throughout, leading 105-77 at the end of three quarters. Washington struggled with their shooting, particularly from three-point range, where they went 12 for 41, with their starters hitting only 3 of 21 attempts. The defeat marked the Wizards’ 13th consecutive loss, while Toronto remained undefeated when leading going into the fourth quarter. Both teams faced absences due to injuries, with notable players sitting out on both sides. The Wizards will face Chicago next, and the Raptors will host Brooklyn.
Chicago Bulls 107 - 143 Miami Heat
The Miami Heat delivered a dominant performance against the Chicago Bulls, securing a 143-107 win in Chicago. Kel'el Ware led the effort for Miami with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Norman Powell added 19 points. Bam Adebayo contributed 18 points, and both Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell scored 16 each. This victory marks Miami's fourth game of the season scoring over 140 points, a feat they had achieved only four times in the previous seven seasons combined. The Heat had a commanding 41-point lead at one point, the second-largest for them this season and the largest margin by which the Bulls have trailed. Ayo Dosunmu paced Chicago with 23 points, while Josh Giddey posted an impressive near triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. The game saw some setbacks for Chicago, including the ejection of Kevin Huerter and injuries to Matas Buzelis and Dalen Terry. With this win, the Heat improved to 2-1 in NBA Cup games, closely trailing group leader Milwaukee, while the Bulls dropped to 1-2, sitting fourth in the East Group C.
Dallas Mavericks 118 - 115 New Orleans Pelicans
In a thrilling NBA Cup game, Cooper Flagg led the Dallas Mavericks to a 118-115 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring a career-high 29 points. Flagg's impressive performance included seven rebounds and five assists, marking a standout game after sitting out a previous match. Naji Marshall, formerly of the Pelicans, secured the win for Dallas with a decisive 3-pointer in the final 30 seconds. Despite the Pelicans missing crucial shots in the last moments, Dallas held on, aided by Max Christie's two free throws. The game ended in a scuffle after P.J. Washington Jr. secured the last rebound. This win improved the Mavericks' NBA Cup record to 1-2 and overall to 5-12, while the Pelicans, led by Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson, dropped to 0-3 in the Cup and 2-14 overall.
Phoenix Suns 114 - 113 Minnesota Timberwolves
In a dramatic finish, the Phoenix Suns rallied in the final minute to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-113, highlighted by Collin Gillespie's go-ahead jumper with 6.4 seconds remaining. Despite Minnesota's commanding 113-105 lead with just over a minute left, Phoenix clawed back, with Jordan Goodwin's layup narrowing the gap before Anthony Edwards, who scored 41 points, missed two critical free throws. Gillespie capitalized with his decisive shot, adding to his 20-point contribution. The Timberwolves' last-gasp effort ended with Julius Randle's missed 3-pointer at the buzzer. Edwards was instrumental in overcoming a 15-point halftime deficit, particularly with his 19-point third quarter. However, the Suns, overcoming a tough night for star Devin Booker—who struggled with 16 points, nine turnovers, and fouled out—prevailed. Despite Booker's issues, including a technical foul, Dillon Brooks led with 22 points before also fouling out. The Suns' victory saw them maintain an undefeated record in the NBA Cup, while Minnesota fell to 2-1.
Houston Rockets 109 - 112 Denver Nuggets
The Rockets secured a 114-104 victory over the Cavaliers, with Alperen Sengun leading the charge with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Houston, employing their "skyline lineup" featuring big men like Steven Adams alongside Sengun, capitalized on size to dominate second-chance points and points in the paint, marking their fifth consecutive win. Despite a late-game surge from Cleveland, Sengun's pivotal fourth-quarter performance ensured the Rockets' triumph. Meanwhile, the Nuggets bounced back from a previous loss with a 125-118 win over the Pelicans. Nikola Jokic recorded another triple-double, while Peyton Watson scored a career-high 32 points. However, Denver's victory wasn't flawless, as they struggled with turnovers, notably conceding 24 points on 20 errors, a concern addressed by coach David Adelman. Both Houston and Denver now prepare for a key NBA Cup matchup, each holding a 1-1 record in their group and vying closely in the Western Conference standings.
Utah Jazz 112 - 144 Oklahoma City Thunder
In a matchup between two of the NBA's standout big men, the Oklahoma City Thunder, with a 16-1 record, continued their dominance with a game against the struggling Utah Jazz, who have lost five of their last seven games. Utah's Lauri Markkanen has been in exceptional form, averaging 30.6 points per game, while the Thunder's Chet Holmgren shows significant growth by consistently scoring over 20 points in recent games. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault highlighted Holmgren's ability to integrate his scoring effortlessly within the team's offensive flow. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City's star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, leads the team's success with an impressive 32 points per game and improved his three-point shooting to 48% over the last nine games. The game was also notable for Jazz rookie Ace Bailey's first encounter with the Thunder, following a commendable 13-point performance against the Lakers. This match marked Oklahoma City's first of the season against Utah, with the Thunder having swept the Jazz in their previous four meetings, as they aim to maintain their unbeaten streak in the NBA Cup West Group A.
Golden State Warriors 123 - 127 Portland Trail Blazers
The Golden State Warriors are set to embark on a five-game homestand, beginning with a critical NBA Cup rematch against the visiting Portland Trail Blazers. Having recently completed a grueling nine-day, six-game road trip, the Warriors aim to capitalize on rested key players like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, who were given time off during a prior loss to Miami. As they look to improve their .500 Cup record, Golden State is poised to welcome back Jonathan Kuminga from injury. On the flip side, the Trail Blazers, under interim coach Tiago Splitter following Chauncey Billups' suspension, are grappling with significant roster challenges. Without star Damian Lillard this season due to surgery and missing several key players like Scoot Henderson and Matisse Thybulle due to injuries, Portland has struggled, dropping seven of their last nine games. Despite their setbacks, they aim to rally from close heartbreak defeats, including a recent buzzer-beater loss against the Chicago Bulls, as they continue their road journey.