With Group Play of the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup tipping off Oct. 30, we’re breaking down each group as teams prepare to take the court, continuing with East Group B.

The collective resume of the teams representing East Group B is absolutely stacked:

• Since 2015, eight of the last 12 teams to win the Eastern Conference came from this group: Cleveland (2015–2018), Miami (2020, 2023), Indiana (2025), and New York (2026).

• Since the competition debuted in 2023, every NBA Cup MVP came from this group: Philly’s LeBron James (2023 with the Lakers), Miami’s Giannis Antetokounmpo (2024 with the Bucks), and New York’s Jalen Brunson (2025).

• The group features three 2026 Playoff teams, all of which reached at least the conference semifinals — with New York eliminating Philadelphia (in the East Semis) and Cleveland (in the East Finals) on its way to winning the title.

• The group includes two teams that advanced to at least the Quarterfinals of the last NBA Cup: Miami, which was eliminated in the Quarterfinals, and New York, which won the Cup.

Now, the five teams in this loaded group will battle for the one guaranteed spot in the 2026 NBA Cup Quarterfinals.

The Cavs had the best record against all other teams in East Group B last season, with New York being the only other team to finish with a winning record against the field.

However, the three teams behind the Cavs and Knicks in these standings have each added a game-changer (or two) to their roster for the 2026-27 season. The Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee. The Sixers acquired Jaylen Brown from Boston and signed LeBron James. The Pacers get Tyrese Haliburton back after he missed all of last season with an Achilles tear.

With star power on every roster, this may be the most difficult group to predict before Group Play gets underway.

Teams breakdown

New York Knicks: With one of the most amazing playoff runs in NBA history, the Knicks are champions for the first time in 53 years. Now, we see if they can do it again. It’s been nine years since a team repeated as champion. But maybe they found something that can carry over, and maybe this veteran core just knows how to win more than any other squad in the league. – John Schuhmann >>

Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs are coming off their deepest playoff run of the post-LeBron era, reaching the East Finals before being swept by the eventual champion Knicks. In the offseason, the Cavs kept their core four together, then acquired 3-and-D wing Peyton Watson from Denver. As the Cavs look to take the next step in their maturation, they will have the benefit of a full training camp and regular season with this core together. >>

Philadelphia 76ers: The Sixers made the biggest moves of the offseason, trading for Jaylen Brown and signing free agent LeBron James to put together the most talented core they’ve had around Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey is coming off an All-NBA season, while VJ Edgecombe will look to build on an impressive rookie year. The biggest question is health, of course. – John Schuhmann >>

Miami Heat: The Heat wanted Antetokounmpo, and they got him in a blockbuster trade with the Bucks. The two-time MVP elevates the Heat to contenders, and he is determined to show he can still lead a team to a championship. Bam Adebayo and Antetokounmpo give the Heat perhaps the best frontcourt in the NBA, with their ability to defend, protect the paint and create offensively through scoring and playmaking. – Jeff Zillgitt >>

Indiana Pacers: After enduring one of the largest season-to-season plunges in 2025-26, will the pendulum swing back in Indiana’s favor in 2026-27? Tyrese Haliburton is healthy and 16 months removed from his torn Achilles as the season begins. The Pacers added center Ivica Zubac at last year’s trade deadline and signed a pair of veterans this summer in Kelly Oubre Jr. and Larry Nance Jr. to bolster their depth. Meanwhile, the rest of the 2025 Finals core returns. >>

Six games to watch

Knicks at Sixers (Friday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video): The opening night of Group Play begins with a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinals (won by New York 4-0) and of this year’s season-opener (won by Philadelphia to spoil banner night at Madison Square Garden). Who will get an early edge in Group Play when these classic East rivals meet?

Sixers at Cavaliers (Friday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video): This is not only a matchup of two major East contenders, but it is also a homecoming for LeBron James, who flirted with a return to Cleveland in the offseason before deciding to sign with Philadelphia. James played 11 seasons and brought the 2016 title to Cleveland. In 27 career games against Cleveland, James is 21-6 while averaging 26.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists.

Knicks at Pacers (Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. ET, Prime Video): The last two teams to win the Eastern Conference — Indy in 2025 and New York in 2026 – meet for the first time this season. This is also a throwback to their classic 2025 Eastern Conference Finals clash that saw Haliburton emerge as a star and Indy as a title contender.

Heat at Sixers (Wednesday, Nov. 25, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN): These two teams made some of the splashiest moves of the offseason: Giannis Antetokounmpo took his talents to South Beach, while Jaylen Brown and LeBron James joined forces in the City of Brotherly Love. Those three players, along with Joel Embiid, have combined to win seven MVPs and six Finals MVPs.

Cavaliers at Knicks (Wednesday, Nov. 25, 7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass): The Knicks’ magical run to the 2026 NBA title included a 13-game win streak, with four of those wins coming in an Eastern Conference Finals sweep of the Cavs. Now, Cleveland will visit New York looking to knock off the defending Cup and NBA champs.

Heat at Knicks (Friday, Nov. 27, 7 p.m. ET, Prime Video): The final night of Group Play features a new chapter of the longtime rivalry between New York and Miami. In 21 career games at MSG, Giannis is 12-9 with averages of 22.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists. He enters this matchup looking to snap a personal four-game skid at The Garden.

Prediction

There is a case to be made for every team in this group to emerge as the winner and secure a spot in the Quarterfinals. When it comes to making a pick, the Sixers get the nod.

Philadelphia put this roster together to compete for the NBA title. Health will be their primary challenge as they chase the Larry O’Brien Trophy in the spring. However, with NBA Cup Group Play wrapping up by late November, could good health still be on their side before they get too deep into the season?

The Sixers are off to a 3-1 start to the season and will look to carry that momentum into Group Play this week.