NBA Cup 2026 Prediction Markets: The California Group
The Lakers, Warriors and Kings share West Group C. Official dates, knockout rules, past winners and what to check before interpreting an NBA Cup contract.
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TL;DR:
The Lakers, Warriors and Kings share West Group C in the 2026 NBA Cup, with the Spurs and Trail Blazers. The Clippers are in West Group B. Group play runs October 30 through November 27, with the title game December 11 in Indianapolis. A second-place team can still advance as a conference wild card.
The Lakers, Warriors and Kings share West Group C. Official dates, knockout rules, past winners and what to check before interpreting an NBA Cup contract.
California games to circle
The NBA group draw (opens in a new tab) placed the Lakers, Warriors and Kings together in West Group C. West Group B contains the Clippers, Thunder, Timberwolves, Pelicans and Grizzlies.
The Lakers visit Golden State on October 30. Sacramento visits the Lakers November 20 and the Warriors November 25. Group play concludes November 27. These are scheduled games, not results; confirm details on the official Cup schedule (opens in a new tab).
How does the 2026 NBA Cup format work?
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Last checked November 12, 2026
The NBA has six groups of five, three in each conference. Every team plays its four group opponents once. Six group winners reach the eight-team knockout stage, joined by one second-place wild card from each conference. A California team can therefore advance without winning its group.
The NBA's rules (opens in a new tab) put head-to-head record before point differential in group tiebreakers and treat overtime scoring separately. Group games, quarterfinals and semifinals count in the regular-season record; the final does not. Quarterfinals are scheduled December 4-5, semifinals December 8 or 9 and the final December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
How to interpret a Cup market
A quoted price reflects one particular event contract, not an official NBA probability. Check its exact settlement condition, current bid and ask, fees, time stamp, liquidity and whether that US product offers it to you. An international listing does not prove the same contract exists on a US exchange.
We do not show a Cup price board because a current California-available event and its rules were not independently verified. General platform links do not establish that a Cup contract is available. The amount paid can be lost. For context, read our California NBA teams guide, NBA MVP guide or cross-market pricing guide.
Past NBA Cup winners
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According to the NBA Cup winners record (opens in a new tab), the Lakers won in 2023, the Bucks in 2024 and the Knicks in 2025. These results do not establish a 2026 probability. This guide is educational for readers 21 and older and is not legal or financial advice.
About the author
Catie Di Stefano
Catie Di Stefano has spent 15 years in the regulated gambling industry, starting at Betsson Group in Malta and spending nearly five years at Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) before building an independent consultancy across European and US iGaming brands, including a licensed engagement with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City under a New Jersey DGE vendor license. She's been interviewed by the California Business Journal on the rise of online gambling in the US, and spoke on a 2022 Next.io panel specifically about California's gaming market. She went on to build the OnlineGamblers.com brand and hold marketing director roles at Smartico.ai and Vegas Kings, and has been named to multiple iGamingExpress industry rankings. She now covers regulated prediction markets full-time.
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Sources & further reading
Every figure and legal claim on this page traces back to a primary source. These are the ones we checked, open them and verify us.
- NBA: 2026 Cup groups (opens in a new tab)
Official group draw.
- NBA: 2026 Cup schedule (opens in a new tab)
Group and knockout dates.
- NBA: Cup format (opens in a new tab)
Tiebreakers and wild cards.
Next steps
Top platforms Californians are using:
Polymarket
Sports, politics and culture markets in US dollars.
Sign up at Polymarket US (opens in a new tab)18+ Only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Not available in all jurisdictions. Trading is risky. 100% loss can occur. See polymarket.com/tos for more information. The Polymarket US App serves as an independent software provider and affiliate of Polymarket US and Polymarket Clearing, the CFTC-regulated exchange and clearing organization.
ProphetX
Your sports prediction market. Same moments, bigger payouts. Available in 49 states plus D.C.
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Kalshi
US-regulated (CFTC) exchange with a wide range of markets.
Sign up at Kalshi (opens in a new tab)Certain limitations apply. The offer is available to new users only, subject to the terms and conditions at kalshi.com/tc/500. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Please carefully consider if it is appropriate for you in light of your personal financial circumstances. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. See kalshi.com/regulatory for more information.
Frequently asked questions
Which California teams share a 2026 NBA Cup group?
The Lakers, Warriors and Kings share West Group C with the Spurs and Trail Blazers. The Clippers are in West Group B.
When does the 2026 NBA Cup start and end?
Group play begins October 30, with the final scheduled for December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Can a second-place team advance?
Yes. One second-place wild card from each conference advances to the eight-team knockout stage.
Where can I see current Cup contract prices?
Check a specific US operator and its contract rules. This guide does not publish a quote without a reproducible primary market snapshot.
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