The NBA recently announced the groups for the third annual NBA Cup, which tips off on October 31st. The Minnesota Timberwolves are in "Group A" which features the Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, and Utah Jazz. Of course, the defending champs pose a tough matchup. However, the rest of Minnesota’s group is fairly manageable. The Jazz are arguably the worst team in the league, and while the Kings and Suns may have playoff hopes, it’s unlikely they’ll reach this goal.
Group B features the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and New Orleans Pelicans. Group C is even more loaded with the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, and Portland Trail Blazers. Compared to the West Groups B and C, the Wolves’ group is clearly the most manageable. This sets the Wolves up nicely for an NBA Cup run.
The #EmiratesNBACup 2025 Group Draw results!
— NBA (@NBA) July 9, 2025
Starting October 31, all 30 teams will compete for the NBA Cup with 8 teams advancing out of groups into the knockout rounds, with the semifinals and championship held in Las Vegas, December 13 and 16! pic.twitter.com/VJur4Hv0lL
The NBA Cup drawings prime the Wolves for a deep run
After each team plays each other in their respective groups, the winner of each group and a wildcard team in each conference goes to the eight-team knockout round, with the final four taking place in Las Vegas. In addition to winning the NBA title, the Thunder were also the runner-up in the NBA Cup this past season. While the Thunder are still favorites in the group, Minnesota has a strong chance to earn a wildcard bid, especially given the importance of point differential and the other groups in the West. If Minnesota can take care of business against Utah, Phoenix, and Sacramento, they should certainly earn a wildcard spot.
Also, it’s possible that the Wolves upset the Thunder and win their group outright. It’s far easier to beat a team in a regular season game as opposed to a seven-game playoff series. Despite losing to the Thunder in five games during the Western Conference Finals, they split the season series. Overall, the possibility of the Wolves winning Group A can’t be ruled out.
The Wolves are perfectly suited for a single-elimination setting, given Anthony Edwards’ star power and their experience in clutch games. Additionally, their well-rounded core of Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid will benefit them. The NBA Cup gives teams some nice momentum early in the season and helps teams be more comfortable in high-stakes situations. In 2023, the Indiana Pacers were runner-ups in the NBA Cup and went on to make an Eastern Conference Finals run.
In the previous two NBA Cups, the Wolves didn't qualify for the knockout rounds. Regardless, given their overall talent, group, and success in the playoffs, Minnesota feels primed for an NBA Cup run.