“Part of it is very specific in terms of a hope for a rating, a hope for fan interest… But more importantly, I think a buy-in from the league, … to the extent that players get up for those games and that the recognition that … it’s still a regular season game … but it’s a tournament, and it’s an opportunity to win something.” That was Adam Silver’s far-sighted vision behind introducing the NBA Cup back in 2023.

Two seasons later, Silver’s experiment has proven to be a win. The inaugural tournament was a success in almost every metric. The NBA set an all-time November attendance record. Even TV audiences for tournament game windows jumped 26% from the year before. Everything about this tournament was fresh: the trophy itself, the games, and above all, the incentives. Let’s jump in to see what’s at stake before tonight’s Emirates NBA Cup hits off.

What is the NBA Cup 2025 prize money distribution for players?

Before the NBA Cup launched in the 2023-24 season, the structure of prize money for players was clearly laid out. Using the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), winners were to receive $500,000 each, runners-up had their share of $200,000 each, meanwhile semifinal losers $100,000 each, and lastly the quarterfinal losers received $50,000 each.

For the 2024 edition, this amount was adjusted upward. In accordance with the league’s Basketball Related Income (BRI) growth factor. In the next and second season of the cup, in 2024, each player on the quarterfinal-losing teams got $51,497. Players on the semifinal-losing teams had $102,994, and the runners-up each got $205,988. Ultimately, the champions each received $514,971. It was the Milwaukee Bucks that year.

Here’s a breakdown of the 2024 prize distribution:

So, for the current 2025 iteration, the league has so far confirmed that the prize amounts will remain at least those same figures, if not higher. According to reports, the total prize pool appears to be around $18 million. But the total pool for all levels has not yet been publicly updated.

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What are the NBA Cup Tiebreakers?

In the group stage of the NBA Cup, each team plays four games. When two or more teams finish the group stage with the same win-loss record, it is a tie, right? Ideally there should not be one. But the league uses a clearly defined sequence of tiebreakers.

Here are the official tiebreakers, in order:

1. The head-to-head record is between the tied teams in the group stage.

2. Point differential for group-play games.

3. Total points scored in group play.

4. Regular-season record from the previous NBA season.

5. Random drawing (if all other criteria still leave teams tied).

Over time, the NBA Cup’s tiebreaker system has already caused havoc. In the 2023 inaugural edition, the New York Knicks advanced out of East Group B due to point differential. After defeating the Charlotte Hornets 115-91, New York’s 24-point margin was just enough to push them ahead of other contenders behind the Milwaukee Bucks.

The outcome was a long debate. Knicks guard Josh Hart even voiced his discomfort afterward. He admitted that the format forces teams to keep pressing. “It was interesting. I don’t really like it,” Hart said. “At a certain point, you just start chasing points, doing all that. So it kind of messes with the integrity of the game a little bit.”

Speaking of points, how does the system work in case of the NBA cup?

What is the point of the NBA Cup?

For the unversed, the NBA Cup begins with all 30 teams split into six groups of five. They are then divided by conference. Each team plays the other four teams in its group once. After group play ends, eight teams advance to the knockout stage. From there, the tournament shifts to a single-elimination format, which includes quarterfinals, semifinals, and a championship game. This is where the last team standing lifts the NBA Cup trophy.

This year, the tournament will kick off on October 31st and run till November 28, in what is called “Cup Nights.” The championship will be on Tuesday, Dec. 16. The venue for the semifinals and championship is the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. All other group games will be played within the NBA markets. During group play, standings are determined by a simple point system based on wins and losses, not accumulated in-game points.

2025 vs 2024 NBA Cup payouts comparison

Well, there is no official update on the prize change this year. But we did see the prize amounts for the NBA Cup increased in 2024. For example, champions’ per‐player payout rose from $500,000 to about $514,970 in 2024. What is known is that the payout structure for 2025 shows the same values as 2024.

2024 vs 2025 prize money per player

Are there awards for the NBA Cup?

Yes, there is no game without an award. While some would argue that the incentives provided in already following a reward system in favor of the players. Especially when some of the star players are already high earners. For them, the NBA Cup is another opportunity to cash in. However, for players whose contracts do not carry the same worth, the extra cash is rewarding. Then there are the awards.

In addition to the special edition, 24 Karat gold-plated trophy, the NBA Cup applauds individual honors. At its conclusion, the league names a Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the event. There is also an All-Tournament Team featuring the five top performers from both the group stage and knockout rounds.

Each player on the championship roster also receives a commemorative medal. The cup trophy, however, remains the star of the show. A silver masterpiece crafted by Tiffany & Co. in collaboration with designer Victor Solomon.

What started as a midseason experiment has now molded into a competition with substantial rewards. As we see a rise in the prize money, especially with sponsors like Emirates, increased global attention is certain.