Three weeks into the fourth edition of the NBA Cup, teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack—for better or worse.

We witnessed a few ugly blowouts on Friday night. Without Steph Curry, the Warriors fell behind the Spurs 18–0 a few minutes into the first quarter and limped to a 123–85 loss. The Grizzlies beat the struggling Pelicans 142–111, and the Trail Blazers stayed hot with a 120–107 win over the Kings.

The best game of the night was a back-and-forth affair between the Clippers and the Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went off for 40 points, but Brook Lopez was clutch down the stretch and Los Angeles finished off Oklahoma City for a 113–112 upset win. This is March? Nay, this is the Cup.

With four NBA Cup nights remaining on the schedule, here’s how the eight-team knockout bracket would look if the group stage ended this evening:

Projected 2026 NBA Cup knockout bracket (through games Friday, Nov. 13)

Over in the East, the Celtics remain the projected No. 1 seed. Boston didn’t play Friday night, but the Celtics are sitting pretty with a +53 point differential. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Heat are off to a slow start this season, but you wouldn’t know it looking at the NBA Cup standings. Miami is a perfect 2–0 with matchups against the 76ers and Knicks to go. With an eight-point win over the Bucks, the Magic grab the No. 3 seed atop East Group A, and the Pistons sneak in as the wild card at 1–0.

In the West, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs hold a comfortable lead for the No. 1 seed after beating the Warriors by 38 points on Friday. San Antonio’s point differential in the NBA Cup is tied with Boston for the league high at +53. The Wolves, Mavs and Nuggets round out the field.

NBA Cup standings (through games Friday, Nov. 13)

West: Group A

1. Mavericks (2–0, +17)
2. Nuggets (1–0, +7)
3. Rockets (1–1, +2)
4. Suns (0–1, –7)
5. Jazz (0–2, -19)

West: Group B

1. Timberwolves (2–0, +32)
2. Clippers (1–1, -25)
3. Thunder (1–1, +30)
4. Grizzlies (1–1, 0)
5. Pelicans (0–2, -37)

West: Group C

1. Spurs (2–0, +53)
2. Warriors (1–1, -21)
3. Lakers (1–1, -11)
4. Trail Blazers (1–1, +7)
5. Kings (0–2, -28)

West: Wild Card

1. Nuggets (1–0, +7)
2. Thunder (1–1, +30)
3. Trail Blazers (1–1, +7)
4. Rockets (1–1, +2)
5. Grizzlies (1–1, 0)

East: Group A

1. Magic (2–0, +15)
2. Pistons (1–0, +16)
3. Raptors (1–1, +7)
4. Nets (0–1, -16)
5. Bucks (0–2, -22)

East: Group B

1. Heat (2–0, +32)
2. Cavaliers (1–1, +12)
3. Pacers (1–1, -18)
4. 76ers (1–1, -19)
5. Knicks (0–2, -7)

East: Group C

1. Celtics (2–0, +53)
2. Bulls (1–1, -6)
3. Hawks (1–1, -1)
4. Wizards (1–1, +9)
5. Hornets (0–2, -55)

East: Wild Card

1. Pistons (1–0, +16)
2. Cavaliers (1–1, +12)
3. Wizards (1–1, +9)
4. Raptors (1–1, +7)
5. Hawks (1–1, -1)

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