What we know about the first night of Emirates NBA Cup
Group play starts October 30th with 20 teams in action
Doubleheader on Prime Video, with the New York Knicks visiting the Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET), followed by the Los Angeles Lakers traveling to San Francisco to take on the Golden State Warriors (10 p.m. ET)
Current champions New York Knicks will have a rematch from Opening Night when they visit LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and the Philadelphia 76ers
Luka Dončić has led the Lakers with 36.0 points per game. He notched the first 50-point game of the season with 52 points vs. the Utah Jazz on Sunday, Oct. 25.
7:29 PM / OCT. 30
Hornets take the early lead
The Charlotte Hornets take the first punch as they lead 22-14. They’ve already made four 3-pointers, including a moon-ball 3-pointer from Dennis Schröder to open the game.
Every member of the Hornets starting five has scored, while the Wizards are still waiting for Alex Sarr and Trae Young to join the scoring party.
7:14 PM / OCT. 30
Wall’s Advice Pays Off
Dybantsa scored his first points in front of the DC home crowd after grabbing a defensive rebound and going coast-to-coast for a layup.
Wall told him pregame to do just that, and Dybantsa delivered.
6:57 PM / OCT. 30
AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, greets John Wall, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, as the Washington Wizards take on the Charlotte Hornets to open their Emirates NBA Cup run.
The Wizards have had seven No. 1 overall picks throughout their history, and the past two share a connection already.
Dybantsa made his NBA debut on Wednesday, Oct. 28 vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he led the Wizards with 19 points, despite the 121-111 loss.
“Very excited, very mature. Fits in with the team. He didn’t try to do too much. He let the game come to him.” – Wall said on Dybantsa’s NBA debut.
AJ Dybantsa 🤝 John Wall
The last two Wizards #1 overall picks chat pregame before Dybantsa’s Wizards home debut 💯
🆚 CHA-WAS • East Group C
🏆 @emirates NBA Cup I 7pm/et, NBA League Pass pic.twitter.com/w9kbdl0q0A
— NBA (@NBA) October 30, 2026
6:30 PM / OCT. 30
The Champ Is Here
Jalen Brunson touches down in Philadelphia for an Opening Night rematch.
Last season, he and the New York Knicks became the first team in NBA history to win an Emirates NBA Cup trophy and the NBA Finals in the same season. Can they do it again? Or will another follow the same pattern?
Brunson and Maxey arrive for tonight’s showdown 😤
🆚 NYK-PHI • East Group B
🏆 @emirates NBA Cup I 7:30pm/et, Prime pic.twitter.com/y35lM7flkM
— NBA (@NBA) October 30, 2026
5:26 PM / OCT. 30
Doubleheader on Prime
The 2026 Emirates NBA Cup begins with the reigning NBA Cup and NBA champion New York Knicks visiting LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers in a rematch of their season-opening matchup on Oct. 20.
In the second half of the doubleheader, Dončić and Austin Reaves lead the Lakers into the Bay Area to take on Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and the Warriors for the second time in the early season.
2:35 PM / OCT. 30
Before we tip things off, catch up with the latest on rules, format and how the NBA Cup works.
Charlotte at Washington (East Group C) — 7 p.m. ET, League Pass
New York at Philadelphia (East Group B) — 7 p.m. ET, Prime
Chicago at Boston (East Group C) — 7 p.m. ET, League Pass
Detroit at Brooklyn (East Group A) — 7 p.m. ET, League Pass
Orlando at Toronto (East Group A) — 7 p.m. ET, League Pass
Indiana at Miami (East Group B) — 8 p.m. ET, League Pass
Houston at Dallas (West Group A) — 8 p.m. ET, League Pass
LA Clippers at Minnesota (West Group B) — 8 p.m. ET, League Pass
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State (West Group C) — 10 p.m. ET, Prime
Denver at Phoenix (West Group A) — 10 p.m. ET, League Pass