The full schedule for the Emirates NBA Cup has been released, including not only who the Jazz will compete with but also on what days.
The Jazz are scheduled to go up against the Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs. They will make up West Group B.
The Jazz's NBA Cup Schedule
With the schedule finally released, the Jazz are slated to go up against the following teams on the following days.
Tuesday, Nov 12: Suns vs. Jazz
Tuesday, Nov 19: Jazz vs. Lakers
Tuesday Nov 26: Spurs vs. Jazz
Tuesday Dec 3: Jazz vs. Thunder
None of the Jazz's NBA Cup games will be televised on National TV. That includes NBA TV.
Who the Jazz will face in the NBA Cup
The Jazz will face three teams that will all vie for the playoffs in 2025. Regardless of how anyone feels about each team's standing, the Lakers, Suns, and Thunder will all aspire for a title in 2025, while the Spurs aim to take another step forward. The Jazz are not in the same situation in the slightest.
No one knows how exactly the Spurs will fare in Victor Wembanyama's second season, but let's think of him the same way we thought of young LeBron or young Giannis. One way or the other, the hurricane is coming. It's only a matter of how long it will take to arrive.
Though the Lakers are current NBA Cup Champions, they are coming off a rather inconsistent season. However, with new coach JJ Redick, along with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they are not to be underestimated.
The Suns are also coming off a rather disappointing season since they were swept by the Timberwolves. After adding some much needed depth, the Suns will have something to prove when the 2024-25 season begins.
Despite being the youngest of the Jazz's competition in their group, the Thunder are definitely their toughest competition. Coming off a run to the Western Conference Semifinals, the Thunder locked and loaded this offseason hoping to show they don't have the same holes they did last season.
The Jazz's marquee matchup
Though the Jazz are not in the same league as their competition, they may also try to throw a wrench in their competition's plans. While they don't have much to prove, their matchup against the Lakers is one to look forward to.
The Jazz may be looking for some revenge after last year's go-round. The Lakers' victory over them sent the Jazz home in 2023. With them in the same group again in West Group B, the Jazz might have some extra motivation to dethrone the current NBA Cup champions above all else.
If the Jazz win, what do they get?
If the Jazz win, every player gets $500,000 apiece. For players like Lauri Markkanen - after what he was just paid - and John Collins, that won't be much, but for players who have unguaranteed contracts like Svi Mykhailiuk and Johnny Juzang, they might have some extra motive to play at their A-game.