The NBA has released the San Antonio Spurs' new court design for the 2026 NBA Cup, an annual in-season tournament that tips off on Friday, October 30. This reveal comes as the Spurs continue their preseason schedule, most recently falling 119-109 to the Utah Jazz on October 12.
The tournament will feature all 30 NBA teams split into six groups of five. Each squad plays four games in the group stage. The knockout rounds begin on Friday, December 4. The championship game is set for Friday, December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The Spurs are looking to improve on their 2025 result, where they lost the NBA Cup final to the New York Knicks. That game also served as a preview of that season's NBA Finals matchup. The full NBA Cup schedule for every team, including the Spurs, was released earlier.
A unique court is a visual centerpiece for the NBA Cup, designed to create a distinct atmosphere for the midseason competition. For the Spurs, it represents a fresh start and a specific goal separate from the regular season standings. Winning the tournament provides early-season momentum and, of course, a trophy.
Head coach Gregg Popovich and the players will use these games to test rotations and build chemistry. The focus is on execution, defense, and finding consistent scoring options beyond the primary stars. Every possession in the tournament will carry weight, simulating playoff intensity.
Immediate attention turns to the final preseason preparations. After the 119-109 loss to Utah, the Spurs have a quick turnaround. Their next and final preseason fixture is a rematch against the Phoenix Suns at home on October 14. The Suns previously beat the Spurs 102-98 on October 10.
The team also fell 123-116 to the Atlanta Hawks on October 8. These preseason results highlight areas needing work before the NBA Cup and regular season begin. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming games on our schedule page.
The NBA Cup offers an early opportunity for the Spurs to compete for hardware. With the new court design unveiled, the stage is set for the team to write a new chapter starting in late October. Their group stage opponents and path to the knockout rounds will soon come into clear focus.
