Every NBA team has played: 2026 updated groups standings show who advances next, with Mavericks, Timberwolves leading
Group leaders remain vulnerable
Dallas has beaten Houston and Utah to top its group, with Cooper Flagg leading the Mavericks. But every other team in that group still has three games to play, leaving time for the order to shift.
Minnesota leads its group after wins over New Orleans and the Los Angeles Clippers. Oklahoma City is close behind after beating Memphis by 32 points, despite injury troubles.
Golden State and San Antonio appear to be competing for the lead in another group. The Lakers beat Portland by six points but lost to the Warriors by 17; Golden State has won its last seven games.
Three teams contend in East
Detroit, Orlando and Toronto are the three teams with positive point differentials in their group, and all remain in contention. Toronto lost its first game to Orlando by seven points, while Detroit beat Brooklyn by 16.
Those results may give Orlando an early advantage, though injuries remain an issue for the team. The group standings could still change as play continues.
Cleveland and Boston set pace
Philadelphia beat New York but has a negative point differential after losing to Cleveland by 24. Cleveland is 5-5 overall, and the article points to contributions from Maleek Thomos, Mario Hezonja and Tyrese Proctor as possible signs of bench strength.
Boston has the strongest point differential in the Cup at plus-53, while Charlotte is at minus-55. The Celtics are positioned to advance unless Atlanta or Washington can produce strong wins; Charlotte faces a difficult path to the knockout rounds.
Projected knockout places
The current group leaders are Dallas, Minnesota, Golden State, Detroit, Cleveland and Boston. Those six teams are projected to claim six of the eight knockout-round places. The remaining two positions are wildcard spots for the best teams in each conference that do not win their groups. At the time of writing, Miami and Oklahoma City are projected to take them.
Key points
- Dallas, Minnesota, Golden State, Detroit, Cleveland and Boston currently lead their groups.
- Miami and Oklahoma City are projected to take the two wildcard places.
- Teams play four games in the Group Play stage, so standings can still change.
- Boston has a plus-53 point differential; Charlotte has a minus-55.