For the first time since the NBA Cup’s inception in 2023, the Toronto Raptors are on the verge of advancing into the second phase of the in-season tournament.
The Raptors head into Friday night’s contest against the Washington Wizards (Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet+, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT), firmly in the driver’s seat for East Group A as the lone undefeated team remaining.
A victory against Washington, coupled with an Indiana Pacers loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, would not only secure Toronto’s top spot in its group but would also make the Raptors the first team to advance to the knockout rounds this season.
It would be the latest benchmark in an already strong start for Toronto, having gone 9-1 in its last 10 outings, including a five-game win streak.
As for the NBA Cup, the Raptors boast a plus-23 point differential through their 2-0 start, tied for the fourth-best mark among all six groups — carving out those leads with double-digit victories over the Atlanta Hawks (138-118) and Cavaliers (112-101).
All of which is uncharted territory for the franchise after back-to-back years of 1-3 records during NBA Cup group play. Both of those years included early losses, leaving Toronto on the outside looking in almost immediately.
Now, a victory over the 1-13 Wizards and a loss by the 2-13 Pacers — against the 10-6 Cavaliers — is the only thing standing in the Raptors’ way from playing elimination-style basketball for the first time since their Play-in loss in 2023.
Each of the six group winners will advance to the knockout rounds along with one Wild Card from each conference (the two teams with the best records that finished second in their groups). The Knockout Rounds will consist of single-elimination games in the quarterfinals (Dec. 9-10), semifinals (Dec. 13) and championship (Dec. 16).
The Raptors won’t be the only team with plenty to play for on Friday, as multiple teams around the league look to avoid elimination.
Here is a full list of NBA Cup group play scenarios heading into Day 3 of the in-season tournament:
East Group A (ATL, CLE, IND, TOR, WAS)TORONTO: Clinch group with win + Indiana lossINDIANA: Eliminated with loss + Toronto win
East Group B (BKN, BOS, DET, ORL, PHI)BROOKLYN: Eliminated with loss
West Group A (MIN, OKC, PHX, SAC, UTA)UTAH: Eliminated with loss
West Group B (DAL, LAC, LAL, MEM, NOP)DALLAS: Eliminated with lossNEW ORLEANS: Eliminated with loss
