Minnesota’s retooled perimeter group arrives in West Group B with the early edge: Anthony Edwards and new teammate LaMelo Ball have helped the Timberwolves open 3-0, with every win by at least 20 points. That start puts the Wolves alongside Oklahoma City as the established contenders in a five-team NBA Cup group that also includes rebuilding Memphis and the LA Clippers, plus a New Orleans club leaning heavily on its returning young core.
Group Play in the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup begins Oct. 30. The Thunder enter with the strongest Cup track record in this field, having finished second in 2024 and reached the semifinal round in 2025. None of the other four West Group B teams advanced beyond the group stage a year ago.
From the locker room
Oklahoma City and Minnesota were the only clubs in this group to make last season’s playoffs. Both eventually ran into San Antonio: the Timberwolves fell in the Western Conference semifinals, while the Thunder were knocked out in the West finals.
The two franchises have been regulars deep into the West bracket. At least one of them has appeared in each of the last three Western Conference Finals — Minnesota in 2024, both teams in 2025, and Oklahoma City in 2026. The Thunder beat the Wolves 4-1 in the 2025 conference finals before going on to claim the NBA championship.
Last regular season, OKC went 11-2 against its four Group B opponents. The Thunder split four games with Minnesota, then swept Memphis, the Clippers and New Orleans. That run was part of a second straight season with at least 64 victories.
| Team | 2025-26 record vs. West Group B opponents |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 11-2 (.846) |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 9-7 (.563) |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 7-8 (.467) |
| LA Clippers | 5-10 (.333) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 5-10 (.333) |
There is a different roster story in each room. Minnesota made the biggest present-tense move, sending Naz Reid and Julius Randle out in a four-team transaction to bring Ball in beside Edwards. The Wolves have won five playoff series over the past three seasons after taking only two across the franchise’s first 34 years.
Oklahoma City remains a Cup and conference threat, though Jalen Williams’ injury creates an early concern. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder proved last season that they could survive injuries and still finish with the league’s best record, but Minnesota’s hot start gives it a narrow early advantage in the group race.
Memphis has turned the page after dealing Ja Morant to Portland. The Morant-Jaren Jackson Jr. pairing is no longer the center of the franchise’s identity, and No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer becomes a major piece of the next phase.
The Clippers are in the middle of an even broader reset. After James Harden and Ivica Zubac were moved in February, Los Angeles followed with offseason departures for Kawhi Leonard, Bennedict Mathurin, John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanović. Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram headline the incoming core, although Ingram’s debut is on hold because of an Achilles injury. Rookie guard Keaton Wagler, selected fifth overall, gives the club another long-term building block.
New Orleans did not own a first-round selection and largely brought back the group that won 26 games last season. Internal improvement will be essential. Trey Murphy and Zion Williamson remain the biggest established options, with Williamson’s availability again a major factor when the Pelicans need late-game answers.
Next tip
- Thunder at Grizzlies — Friday, Nov. 6, 8 p.m. ET, League Pass: Memphis guard Ty Jerome enters Week 1 as the league’s scoring leader at 34.7 points per game. He spent two early-career seasons with Oklahoma City. The frontcourt also puts Boozer, the No. 3 pick, against Thunder rookie Aday Mara, chosen No. 12.
- Timberwolves at Pelicans — Friday, Nov. 6, 8 p.m. ET, League Pass: Edwards and Ball share the Minnesota backcourt spotlight against Williamson in New Orleans.
- Thunder at Clippers — Friday, Nov. 13, 10:30 p.m. ET, League Pass: Gilgeous-Alexander returns to Los Angeles, where he began his NBA career as a Clippers rookie in 2018-19, before becoming a two-time MVP, four-time All-Star and NBA champion.
- Timberwolves at Thunder — Wednesday, Nov. 25, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN: The 2025 West finals rematch matches teams that have split their season series in each of the past three years. It carries Cup stakes and the feel of an early postseason measuring stick.
- Clippers at Grizzlies — Wednesday, Nov. 25, 8 p.m. ET, League Pass: Boozer and Wagler meet in the next-to-last Group Play game for both teams. Through Week 1, each ranks among the top five rookies in scoring and assists; Boozer leads all first-year players in rebounds, while Wagler is second in steals.
Four weeks of group action will determine whether the Thunder can reassert their control over this matchup pool or whether Minnesota’s new Edwards-Ball pairing can turn a fast October start into a Cup breakthrough. Memphis and the Clippers will get early looks at their top-five rookies, while the Pelicans need their returning pieces to make a meaningful jump.
