The Emirates NBA Cup advances to its last stage with four teams standing. The contest for the NBA Cup and the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award will end in Las Vegas. There, the Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Milwaukee Bucks, and Houston Rockets will compete in the semifinals.  The games kick off in Las Vegas on Saturday, December 14th with Hawks-Bucks (4:30 p.m. ET, TNT) followed by Rockets-Thunder (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC), with the winners of each game moving on to the championship on December 17th (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).  Selection for the MVP “will be based on the players’ performance in both Group Play and the Knockout Rounds.” With relatively few matches and just eight total matches moving out of Group Play, winning is more necessary than ever in the race for this award.  Below is a look at which players are taking the inside track toward tournament MVP honors: 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder Gilgeous-Alexander graces the top position entering the Semifinals, mostly for appearing in all five of the Thunder games so far. If his production drops or his team loses, the mantle could pass to one of the Bucks players below.Shai delivered an outstanding performance in Oklahoma’s Knockout Rounds victory over Dallas. His 39 points on 65.2% shooting were from all levels (six FGA in the paint, four at mid-range, five beyond the arc). He also has the stingiest defense in the NBA, and his on-court plus-15.6 leads all players in Cup play.  2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks Antetokounmpo continues to lead Cup play into the Knockout Rounds, as the injury-riddled Magic discovered on Tuesday. Antetokounmpo stepped into the court and shot 14-for-17 around the basket. He had as many blocks as Orlando did by himself.  Giannis has been so powerful that his Cuo-leading 22 turnovers have had little effect on the outcome. Antetokounmpo has doubled down on what makes him exceptional on offense; a career-high 96.3% of his shot attempts this year are 2-pointers, and a career-high 59.2% of his makes are unaided. He takes the ball himself, all the way to the rim with destructive effect.  3. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks Lillard is the perimeter part of Buck’s star duo, good to the point that his 28-point, nine-assist performance against Magic felt like a disappointment at first blush. But this was before the “Dame Time’’ that happened in the fourth quarter, with Lillard scoring 15 points by himself to help mellow out Jalen Suggs’ play down the stretch.  Damian’s raw start does not justify what his appearance brings to a game. Minus his 9.3 attempts from 3-point range on 48.6% shooting in Cup play, and how much less room does Giannis have to wreak havoc? 4. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks Johnson has done the “leap” that had many team executives, coaches and fans put their hopes on. He is a dynamic swingman, one of the most unique and valuable skills in the league. Johnson can score, rebound, play-make, and defend while leading the Hawks in minutes per game (37.3) in Cup play.  Jalen was exceptional in a Knockout Rounds victory against New York on Wednesday. Atlanta was outscored by 8 in the almost seven minutes he took a break. When he did play, he delivered, ending with 21 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks. Opponents should be scared when Johnson’s shooting passes the NBA average. 5. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets meteoric rise features talent and performances from a squad packed with stars. Alperen Sengun is the reliable hub holding the offense together. Sengun’s awareness of cutters and shooters is crucial for a Rockets side filled with cutters and shooters. His team-leading plus-minus (12.0 over five matches) tells a part of the story.  Sengun brought all his high-IQ play to an exciting Knockout Rounds victory against the Golden State Warriors. His strong fourth quarter- six points, two assists and steal in seven minutes included a score that kept the team going until Jalen Green’s heroics in the last seconds. 

Trae Young was out dribbling the clock on Wednesday night when he knelt down toward the New York’s center-court logo and pretended to shoot dice. “We’re going to Vegas,” Young said, “so that’s what I had to.” When he is at Madison Square Garden, always bet on him. What he did felt like the 2021 playoffs. The Knicks had been eliminated, and Young celebrated in the middle of their arena.  He had 22 points and 11 assists, leading Atlanta to a 108-100 win in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. The Hawks will go to Las Vegas to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.  “I planned that one with my little brother a few days ago,” he said. “We had talked about that and I mean, I knew what I was going to do.” Young said he did not get a lot of heat like he did in 2021 until late in the game. New York dominated the first half, leading by 12 at one point, but Atlanta took over in the third quarter. 

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson have been named NBA Players of the Week for Week 6 (November 25 – December 1).  Eastern Conference: Western Conference:

Julian Champagnie was supposed to join a role in the Spurs’ rotation this term, but he took things a step further. Champagnie has earned a starting role, contributing on both ends of the court. This role has been significant for a San Antonio Spurs team that is 11-9 ahead of the quarter mark of the 2024-25 campaign.  The third-year forward has even bigger shoes to fill due to Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell being absent with injury. As these players recover, Champagnie’s solid play has scored him a regular role in the rotation after he averaged only 19.8 minutes per match last year.  This season, Champagnie is recording a career-high 29.5 minutes per match, He is averaging 12.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals and starting in all of San Antonio’s 20 fixtures. The forward also shoots with confidence (43.6 FG%), an upgrade compared to the 40.8% mark he made in 2023-24.  Spurs’ interim coach Mitch Johnson appears to like what Champagnie has to offer on both sides of the court. Furthermore, him in the lineup balances out the squad, as it creates space for Vassell and Johnson to ease back in. His length is a defensive weapon which will allow the Spurs to launch an aggressive defense with a lineup that has him, Stephon Castle, Harrison Banes, and Victor Wembanyama. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers made history on Wednesday, and point guard Donovan Mitchell spoke a little about the team’s 13-0 start to the year.  “We’re the hunted, but it’s also November,” Cleveland’s star forward said after he had 23 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in the Cavaliers’ 114-106 win over Philadelphia on Wednesday night. “Let’s relax. You know, I’m saying it’s November and we’re not winning a championship right now. But these are good tests for us.” The Cavaliers became the first team since Golden State in 2015-16 to win 13 straight to begin a campaign. The Warriors hold the record for most victories to start a season at 24 straight.  They are just the sixth club in NBA/BAA history to begin 13-0. Besides the 2015-16 Warriors, the other four teams are: Four of the last five clubs advanced to the championship round. It also tied with Cleveland’s franchise record of 13 straight victories set three times in – 2009, 2010, and 2017 all with LeBron James.  “It’s an 82-game season and we’re only 13 games in,” said guard Darius Garland, who led Cleveland with 25 points in their latest win. “There’s a lot of stuff that we have to clean up. But it’s a good thing that we can have these wins as well. It’s a good balance that we have right now because we know that we can get a lot better, even though we’re still undefeated.” Some parts of Cleveland’s success has hinged on ball movement and scoring. Garland, Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, Caris LaVert, Evan Moblely, Ty Jerome- played on Wednesday night to average double figures in scoring.  “We’ve all been able to play a lot of games, and you can be mentally and physically tired,” Mitchell said. “But you have to be able to continue to do the little things for one another. That’s what it’s going to take on a night like tonight (to win). “You have to be the team that does the little things for one another through those moments and continues to make the right plays.” Wednesday turned out to be a struggle for a short-handed Philadelphia lineup that played without Joel Embiid (left knee injury maintenance), Paul George (left knee injury maintenance), Tyrese Maxey (right hamstring strain), and backup center Andre Drummond (sickness).  That game also revealed just how heavy the weight on the Cavaliers is to maintain their winning streak.  “If you were the Sixers coming in, you’re thinking ’We could end the streak,’” Cleveland first-year coach Kenny Atkinson said. “That always motivates players and coaches that you know you can knock someone off their block. I know our players feel it and they’ve talked about it.” Jared McCain scored a career high 34 points and had the 76ers within three with only over three minutes left. “He came out and showed that he’s got some game,” Garland said. “He is looking for a spot on that team as well. It was good, it was a good showing for all of us.” That’s when Mitchell got hot, closing the game with 11 points in the final three minutes and just missing his first career triple-double. “He made those big step-back 3’s,” Atkinson said. “We’ll forgive him (for missing the triple-double).” After a break on Thursday, Cleveland will welcome the Chicago Bulls on Friday and Charlotte Hornets on Sunday before its hardest test — a Tuesday night game with defending NBA champion Boston Celtics. “We have a mature group and a steady group that doesn’t get too high or too low,” Atkinson said. “They are a humble group. I don’t know if they are reading the media quotes and I don’t think that anyone is pounding the drum or saying how great we are. Donovan is always saying that we haven’t done anything yet, so they understand what we need to do and what the next step is. And they are keeping that chip on their shoulder.”

Joel Embiid has been suspended for three matches without pay for shoving a media personnel. Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced this on Tuesday. Embiid shoved the reporter in the Philadelphia 76ers locker room after their 127-107 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday at Wells Fargo Center. “Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” Dumars said.  “While we understand Joel was offended by the personal nature of the original version of the reporter’s column, interactions must remain professional on both sides and can never turn physical.” Joel’s suspension will begin on the next NBA regular-season match he is eligible and able to feature in. 

San Antonio Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan will undergo surgery to treat a fractured left thumb he injured Monday night in a defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers.  Sochan shattered the proximal phalanx when he ran into a screen close to the Clippers bench late into the second quarter. He left the match with 3:31 remaining in the first half and did not come back.  The Spurs will update Sochan’s status after the surgery. San Antonio was leading by 26 points in the first quarter with Sochan on the court, but in the second half,  Los Angeles turned things around to secure their first victory at the Intuit Dome.  He averages career highs in points (15.7) and rebounds (7.7). 

The NBA fined the Philadelphia 76ers a sum of $100,000 for public statements made about Joel Embiid’s health status. Embiid had not been playing for the Sixers. The list of defaulters included president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and head coach Nick Nurse, who made comments that were inconsistent with Embiid’s health and violated NBA rules, including the league’s Player Participation Policy.  An investigation by the NBA also confirmed that Embiid has been absent for Sixers regular season fixtures this campaign due to a left knee injury. Therefore, the matches he missed did not violate the Player Participation Policy. 

Bronny James is expected to compete in his second pro game next to his father, LeBron James, when the Los Angeles Lakers face the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron spent 11 seasons over two stints with Cleveland, winning the team their 2016 title before leaving as a free agent after two years. Last week, he and his son became the first father-son duo to feature in an NBA match.  Bronny and LeBron James checked for the second quarter of a 110-103 victory in the campaign opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The much expected moment was a dream come true for both, and will now herald another significant match.  “It’s definitely going to be very special to be back home and be able to run the floor with my son who spent a lot of time on that floor throughout my days when I played there for 11 years,” LeBron James said following Monday’s game in Phoenix. Bronny James did not score in his debut, fumbling both shots and clinching one rebound in three minutes on the court. He has not played since then, and he is expected to join the Lakers’ G League team, the South Bay Lakers, after his five-match road trip ends on November 6 in Memphis. 

The brand new Intuit Dome gave basketball fans a tour for the first time on Monday night, as the Los Angeles Clippers welcomed the Dallas Mavericks to a preseason match.  The Dome has been used to host concerts since August, but this is the first match in the over $2 billion vision of Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. Fans poured in through doors using facial recognition. ‘ There was a double-sided halo board displaying photos, videos, statistics, and lots more.  Los Angeles was one of the three franchises using crypto.com Arena, sharing the space with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings. Now they have their own court.  “It’s a great feeling to have a place to call home. Guys are very excited about it,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “Our whole organization is excited about it. Tonight our fans get the chance to see a part of it. You have a chance to have our own place we call home. You can leave your shoes in the locker room and come back tomorrow and they’ll be there. We have our own place and own building and everything is secure.” Ballmer showed off the new arena On “60 Minutes,” which aired Sunday, He hoped it would give the Clippers a boost.  “Everything in my instinct says it will help our team, our basketball team, if our crowd team can really get into it and give them energy,” Ballmer said. As fans entered the Dome, they were met with an 80,000-square-foot outdoor plaza with a basketball court this accessible to the public. Patricia Blakemore was giddy with excitement when she arrived.  “It’s so high tech,” said Blakemore, who lives in nearby Manhattan Beach. “I have to say one of the things that makes me exceptionally happy is that from the moment we parked our car to get in here, the staff has been very helpful.” Eric Swallow when asked how long he has been a Clippers fan, said since Monday. He just purchased season tickets.  “It’s a new stadium and it’s close to Manhattan Beach,” Swallow said. That was all it took for the Clippers to gain a new fan. Also, Estelle Talleu and Matteo Decarlini visited from France to see the game at Los Angeles. “I love basketball, and I wanted to see L.A. and this atmosphere,” Decarlini said. “In France, it’s not the same. There’s nothing like this. This arena is so big.” Talleu loved the halo board: “It’s amazing.” She took a lot of videos, a did many other fans in the nearly 18,000-seat Dome. Furthermore, there is also an abundance of bathrooms, and Ballmer said about the 1,400 toilets on “60 Minutes.” There’s a good reason. “I really hate it when people wait in line,” Ballmer told “60 Minutes.” “Waiting in line for toilets, I think is — it stops people from getting back into the game. People get frustrated.” The Intuit Dome is busting with sports and entertainment. It is located less than a mile from Sofi Stadium; where the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers player. It is close to The Kia Forum too, which hosts concerts and the Lakers used to use.  Additionally, the arena is carbon-free and cashless and has several state-of-the-arts facilities. Juvenal Martinez, who came to the game with his uncle said: “The arena is good. I like it. I like all the technology and the facial scan to get in,” he said. Ballmer started building the Dome in 2021 and launched it in August. It is slated to host many major events, like the 2026 All-Star Game and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.  “This is beautiful,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “To be able to practice here (Sunday) and have a shootaround here, they did an incredible job. I think Clippers fans should be happy. When you look at fan experience it will be like no other. It will be exciting to be the first visiting team to experience that.”