The second annual NBA Cup tips off under new branding

The GIST: New name, same tourney — the rebranded NBA Cup (previously known as the In-Season Tournament) tipped off last night, ushering in the league’s second annual in-season competition, complete with even flashier courts and cash prizes to place a greater emphasis on early schedule games. Let’s hoop.

How it works: All 30 NBA teams were divided into six five-team groups within their conference. Beginning last night and running through December 3rd, group play “Cup Nights” are set for every Tuesday and Friday, with each squad playing two games at home and two on the road.

• Eight teams (the six group winners, plus the two best second-place squads from each conference) will advance to the knockout stage, beginning with the quarter-finals on December 10th and 11th and culminating with the championship on December 17th.

• Every game except the championship will count towards a team’s regular-season record.

• The title game will once again be hosted in Las Vegas, a city in the running for an NBA expansion franchise — especially if reigning tourney MVP, LA Laker LeBron James, has anything to say about it.

Last night’s octuple-header highlights: In Eastern Conference news, former MVP Joel Embiid (who was injured to start the year) made his long-awaited season debut for the Philadelphia 76ers, contributing 13 points as the Sixers lost 111–99 to the NY Knicks.

• And over in the Western Conference, five-time All-Star Klay Thompson returned to the Bay Area for the first time since leaving the Golden State Warriors — where he won four titles — for the Dallas Mavericks. In the end, Golden State was the victor, winning 120–117. Baby, the games have begun.