About the NBA Cup Championship
The NBA Cup was introduced during the 2023-24 season under the original
name NBA In-Season Tournament. All 30 NBA teams compete
in Group Play, with eight teams advancing to the single-elimination
Knockout Rounds.
The final two surviving teams meet in the NBA Cup Championship. Unlike
the other NBA Cup games, the championship game does not count toward
either team's regular-season record.
The winning team receives the NBA Cup trophy, while one player is
selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Player based on performance
during Group Play and the Knockout Rounds.
Complete NBA Cup Champions
| Year |
Champion |
Runner-Up |
Score |
MVP |
| 2023 |
Los Angeles Lakers |
Indiana Pacers |
123-109 |
LeBron James |
| 2024 |
Milwaukee Bucks |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
97-81 |
Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| 2025 |
New York Knicks |
San Antonio Spurs |
124-113 |
Jalen Brunson |
NBA Cup Champions by Year
2023 — Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers became the first NBA Cup champion when they
defeated the Indiana Pacers 123-109 in the championship game.
Los Angeles went undefeated during the tournament. LeBron James was
named the first NBA Cup MVP, while Anthony Davis delivered one of the
standout performances of the championship game.
2024 — Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks won the second NBA Cup by defeating the Oklahoma
City Thunder 97-81.
Milwaukee finished the tournament undefeated at 7-0. Giannis
Antetokounmpo was named NBA Cup MVP after recording 26 points,
19 rebounds and 10 assists in the championship game.
2025 — New York Knicks
The New York Knicks became the third NBA Cup champion by defeating
the San Antonio Spurs 124-113 in the championship game.
Jalen Brunson was named NBA Cup MVP after helping New York complete
its run through the tournament. Brunson scored 25 points and added
eight assists in the championship game.
NBA Cup MVPs
| Year |
Player |
Team |
| 2023 |
LeBron James |
Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2024 |
Giannis Antetokounmpo |
Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2025 |
Jalen Brunson |
New York Knicks |
NBA Cup Championship Records
Most NBA Cup Championships
Los Angeles Lakers — 1
Milwaukee Bucks — 1
New York Knicks — 1
Most Championship Appearances
Six different franchises have appeared in the first three championship games.
First Champion
Los Angeles Lakers — 2023
First MVP
LeBron James — 2023
Largest Championship Margin
16 points — Milwaukee Bucks over Oklahoma City, 2024
Highest-Scoring Champion
New York Knicks — 124 points, 2025
NBA Cup Championship Facts
Through the first three NBA Cup tournaments, every season has produced
a different champion, runner-up and tournament MVP.
The Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks became the
first three champions. Indiana, Oklahoma City and San Antonio were the
first three runner-ups.
The first three champions also came from different portions of the
league. Los Angeles represented the Western Conference in 2023,
Milwaukee represented the Eastern Conference in 2024 and New York
represented the Eastern Conference in 2025.
No franchise has yet won the NBA Cup more than once.
No NBA Cup champion has gone on to win the NBA championship in the
same season through the first three editions of the tournament.
NBA Cup Championship Game Scores
| Year |
Result |
Margin |
Combined Points |
| 2023 |
Los Angeles Lakers 123, Indiana Pacers 109 |
14 |
232 |
| 2024 |
Milwaukee Bucks 97, Oklahoma City Thunder 81 |
16 |
178 |
| 2025 |
New York Knicks 124, San Antonio Spurs 113 |
11 |
237 |
Championships by Franchise
| Team |
Titles |
Runner-Up |
Appearances |
| Los Angeles Lakers |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| Milwaukee Bucks |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| New York Knicks |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| Indiana Pacers |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| San Antonio Spurs |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the first NBA Cup?
The Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural tournament in 2023 by
defeating the Indiana Pacers 123-109.
Who has won the NBA Cup?
The Los Angeles Lakers won in 2023, the Milwaukee Bucks won in 2024
and the New York Knicks won in 2025.
Who has won the most NBA Cups?
Through 2025, no team has won more than once. The Lakers, Bucks and
Knicks each have one championship.
Who are the NBA Cup MVPs?
LeBron James won the award in 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2024
and Jalen Brunson in 2025.
Does an NBA Cup title count as an NBA championship?
No. The NBA Cup is a separate tournament from the NBA playoffs and
NBA Finals.
Does the NBA Cup Championship count as a regular-season game?
No. The championship game is the only NBA Cup game that does not count
toward the participating teams' regular-season records.
Related NBA Cup History
