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With Group Play of the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup tipping off Oct. 30, we\u2019re breaking down each group as teams prepare to take the court, continuing with West Group A.<\/p>\n
West Group A features three 2026 Playoff teams \u2014 the Nuggets, Rockets, and Suns (via the Play-In), all of whom were eliminated in the first round \u2014 as well as two lottery teams. The Jazz and Mavericks each secured top-10 picks, with Darryn Peterson going to Utah at No. 2 and Morez Johnson Jr. landing in Dallas as No. 9.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, both Texas teams welcome back a veteran point guard after missing all of last season with a torn ACL: Kyrie Irving returns for the Mavs and Fred VanVleet is back for the Rockets.<\/p>\n
The Suns were the only team to make it out of Group Play in last year\u2019s NBA Cup. Phoenix secured the West Wild Card before being eliminated in the Quarterfinals by Oklahoma City. The Thunder not only ended Phoenix\u2019s run for the Cup, but they also ended Phoenix\u2019s season with a first-round playoff sweep.<\/p>\n
TEAMS
\nDEN
\nHOU
\nDAL
\nPHX
\nUTA
\nTOTAL<\/p>\n
DEN
\nx
\n3-1
\n2-2
\n3-0
\n4-0
\n12-3 (.800)<\/p>\n
HOU
\n1-3
\nx
\n2-2
\n4-0
\n3-1
\n10-6 (.625)<\/p>\n
DAL
\n2-2
\n2-2
\nx
\n0-3
\n2-2
\n6-9 (.400)<\/p>\n
PHX
\n0-3
\n0-4
\n3-0
\nx
\n2-1
\n5-8 (.385)<\/p>\n
UTA
\n0-4
\n1-3
\n2-2
\n1-2
\nx
\n4-11 (.267)<\/p>\n
In head-to-head matchups among West Group A teams last season, the Nuggets and Rockets were the only teams with winning records. Denver posted a group-best 12-3 mark thanks to sweeps of the Suns and Jazz, a 3-1 series victory over the Rockets, and a split with Dallas.<\/p>\n
Can the Nuggets, who have the Western Conference\u2019s longest active streak of 50+ win seasons with four straight, find similar success against the teams in this group as they had last season? Or will a new contender emerge and make an early-season statement in Group Play?<\/p>\n
Teams breakdown<\/p>\n
Denver Nuggets: Denver has high hopes again this season, reasonable enough for a team that boasts arguably the NBA\u2019s top player in Nikola Joki\u0107, as well as battle-tested cohorts Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon to complete its Big Three. The supporting cast will look different, though, with DeMar DeRozan entering the mix and the departures of Peyton Watson, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown this offseason. \u2013 Steve Aschburner >> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n Houston Rockets: The distance to which the Rockets will travel in the postseason (they\u2019ve lost in the first round two years straight) will depend on a number of ifs. Kevin Durant defying Father Time is chief among them. But also Fred VanVleet\u2019s return from missing a season to injury, Alperen Sengun\u2019s upward development, Amen Thompson\u2019s potential star turn and if Jabari Smith Jr. is real or a tease. \u2013 Shaun Powell >> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n Phoenix Suns: The Suns hit reset last offseason, trading Kevin Durant for Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green while hiring first-time head coach Jordan Ott. The moves helped Phoenix forge a new identity. While Devin Booker led the way offensively, the Suns made a major leap defensively. It led to a nine-win jump. But after reaching the 2026 NBA Playoffs through the SoFi Play-In Tournament, the Suns were swept in the first round by the Thunder. Now, they\u2019re looking for more. \u2013 Ian Dardani >> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n Dallas Mavericks: The Mavericks have officially shed their questionable past and are ready to surge in a new direction, in every way. Masai Ujiri, who built a championship team in Toronto, was hired to run the basketball operation, and he in turn hired Dusty May, a first-time NBA coach who won a national championship at Michigan. The goal is obvious \u2014 build a contender with Cooper Flagg as the centerpiece. \u2013 Shaun Powell >> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n Utah Jazz: Jumping from fourth to second in the Draft Lottery allowed Utah to grab Kansas guard Darryn Peterson in the Draft, adding a play-ready talent to a young group that has been ripening since the team\u2019s last playoff appearance in 2022. Coach Will Hardy has enough tent-pole guys like Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Keyonte George to mix \u2018n\u2019 match for various sizes, styles and strengths. \u2013 Steve Aschburner >> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n Five games to watch<\/p>\n Rockets at Mavericks (Friday, Oct. 30, 8 p.m. ET, League Pass<\/a>): It\u2019s an all-Texas clash on the opening night of Group Play as Dallas hosts Houston. This matchup sees former teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving face one another for the 20th time, with Irving entering with a slight 10-9 advantage in all-time head-to-head meetings.<\/p>\n Jazz at Mavericks (Friday, Nov. 6, 8 p.m. ET, League Pass<\/a>): This serves as a potential matchup between last year\u2019s Kia Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg and a top contender for this year\u2019s award, No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson (though Flagg\u2019s status remains questionable due to a shoulder injury). The guard battle between Peterson and Irving is also a must-see.<\/p>\n Rockets at Nuggets (Friday, Nov. 20, 10 p.m. ET, Prime Video<\/a>): It\u2019s a matchup between two of the league\u2019s most versatile big men \u2014 Denver\u2019s Nikola Joki\u0107 and Houston\u2019s Alperen Sengun are the only centers to average 20 points, six rebounds and six assists last season. If Joki\u0107 is the master (he averaged a triple-double last season while leading the league in rebounds and assists), Sengun is a talented student ready to challenge his throne.<\/p>\n