August 12, 2026
Bill Streicher/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Will the Sixers finally advance to the NBA Cup Knockout Rounds?
The Sixers' schedule for 2026 NBA Cup Group Play was officially announced by the NBA on Wednesday:
Sixers 2026 NBA Cup Group Play schedule:
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) August 12, 2026
• October 30 vs. New York Knicks (7:30 p.m., Prime Video)
• November 6 @ Cleveland Cavaliers (7:30 p.m., Prime Video)
• November 25 vs. Miami Heat (5:00 p.m., ESPN)
• November 27 @ Indiana Pacers (7:30 p.m.)
All four of the Sixers' groupmates – the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat and New York Knicks – pose significant challenges, with superstar leaders and strong co-stars.
This will be the fourth year of the league's in-season tournament, and so far the Sixers have missed out on advancing to the Knockout Rounds three times in a row – despite head coach Nick Nurse, a veteran of similar tournaments overseas, being a strong advocate for the NBA Cup.
Each of these games carry high profiles, but the headliner may be the road game against the Cavaliers, as LeBron James' appearances against his hometown team are always appointment viewing. After James spurned Cleveland this summer to sign with the Sixers, there may be a slightly different feel in that arena.
As part of Eastern Conference Group B, the Sixers' path to the Knockout Rounds – an eight-team, single-elimination bracket which determines the winner of the NBA Cup – is about as challenging as one could possibly be. Four teams advance in each conference: three group winners and one wild card. Point differential is the tiebreaker if teams have identical records.
MORE: Tracking 2026-27 Sixers games announced ahead of Thursday's schedule release
