Following the announcement of the groups at the end of June, the full Emirates NBA Cup 2026 group play schedules have now been released.
The Raptors are part of East Group A, which also includes the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, and Brooklyn Nets. Now for context, look at East Group B and you got yourselves quite the bloodbath stacking up with a cast of the New York Knicks (of course, the reigning champs), Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Indiana Pacers. Meanwhile, East Group C is somewhat more modest, consisting of the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, and Washington Wizards.
With all due respect to the other teams in Toronto’s group, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to suggest that the Raptors can easily return to the Knockout Stage and, hopefully, a deeper run in the tournament. Last season, the Raptors went a perfect 4-0 in group play before being eliminated in the quarterfinals by the eventual cup winner and subsequent NBA champs, the New York Knicks.
Raptors' East Group A schedule looks very favorable, but there are some key storylines to watch
When the 2025 Cup details were released, I can recall expressing a similar sentiment in a reaction piece — while Toronto didn’t go on to win the tournament, many in Raptors Nation believed the team was poised for a strong showing. Last year, Toronto was also placed in Group A, which included the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, and Washington Wizards.
Definitely not a “cake walk” by any stretch, but also not a “killer’s row” either. The same rule kinda applies here with the 2026 iteration of East Group A. The Pistons and Magic are the only other teams facing the Raptors that could pose some challenges.
That said, you can also argue Detroit is in a bit of limbo after being last year's East powerhouse. With the uncertain Jalen Duren situation, the loss of valuable vet Tobias Harris, and moving on from Isaiah Stewart, it has largely left them with a mixed roster in flux and having to address a much-improved East landscape. Meanwhile, the Magic are still a up-and-coming team trying to find their footing and not quite a certain threat.
Then you just take a look at East Group B for this year, especially considering the momentum and strength of several of those teams, it’s clear that this group is particularly stacked. Regardless of conference, it’s arguably the most competitive grouping in the tournament.
In the West, the groups are more balanced and don’t carry the same cutthroat feel as East Group B. West Group A features the Nuggets, Rockets, Suns, Mavericks, and Jazz; West Group B includes the Thunder, Timberwolves, Clippers, Pelicans, and Grizzlies; and West Group C has the Spurs (last year’s runner-up), Lakers, Trail Blazers, Warriors, and Kings. While each bracket has some strong teams, none seem quite as brutal as East B.
Thankfully for Toronto, they won’t have to face anyone from that “murderer’s row” of East Group B immediately (hoping they advance, of course). Their group play kicks off on October 30 against the Magic at home, then they hit the road for games against the Bucks on November 6 and the Pistons on November 20, before closing it out at home for their final group match against the Nets on November 27.
However, a major caveat to this all is the status of the Kawhi Leonard trade and his ongoing, high-profile investigation. If the deal goes through and Kawhi is available for the duration of this tourney, it significantly boosts Toronto’s chances of success. If not, it could pose a major obstacle to their NBA Cup ambitions.
That, my friends, is just another instance where this Leonard drama could really impact the Raptors’ season in multiple ways, especially since they’re all in hoping this move pays off.
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