The final day of group play in the 2025 NBA Cup began with six spots in the knockout rounds still up for grabs and three straight winner-take-all games to decide a group. It was as climactic a day as the NBA could have hoped for when instituting the in-season tournament.

The NBA returns from its Thanksgiving holiday with a full slate of action on Friday night. The NBA Cup is moving along, with 22 teams set to take the court in 11 games.

This ought to be a classic matchup of strength against strength: the Knicks’ potent offense, led by point guard Jalen Brunson, against the Raptors’ stingy defense. New York has missed forward OG Anunoby, one of the league’s most versatile defenders, who has been sidelined since Nov. 14 because of a strained left hamstring.

Twelve teams head into the final day of NBA Cup group-stage games with a chance to join the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers in the knockout round.

Keyonte George scored 31 points, Lauri Markkanen added 28 points, and the Utah Jazz avoided a winless round of pool play in the NBA Cup with their 128-119 defeat of the visiting Sacramento Kings on Friday in Salt Lake City.

Three winner-take-all showdowns, an elimination game at MSG and more mark the final night of NBA Cup Group Play.

Score predictions for tonight's matchup between the Knicks and the Hornets.

The Washington Wizards aim to build on their best performance of the season when they face the Indiana Pacers in the final NBA Cup game for both teams on Friday in Indianapolis.

The Bucks are 6-8 in Eastern Conference games. Milwaukee ranks third in the league averaging 15.5 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 41.0% from deep. AJ Green leads the team averaging 3.3 makes while shooting 48.1% from 3-point range.